The Memphis Grizzlies are officially in the offseason after the team was eliminated in the Western Conference finals by the San Antonio Spurs. While the team does not have many marquee free agent players, they have one highly sought after free agent coach. Lionel Hollins will be one of the most talked about storylines in the NBA offseason as his contract will be up and multiple teams want his services.
Hollins contract with Memphis officially ends June 30. At that point, the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers will be the two teams to immediately pick up the phone and call the coach's number. Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports reports that those two teams will be the first to ask permission to speak with the head coach. Hollins is simply hoping things get cleared up soon.
"I hope things get worked out quickly. I love our team and the possibilities," Hollins said following the team's Game 4 loss.
Memphis has been vocal about intending on offering Hollins a contract extension, the question is the price. The Nets are prepared to make whatever coach they hire very rich. Will the Grizzlies be able to match the deal? Hollins made $2.3 million last season, and deservedly will get a raise no matter where he lands. Brooklyn will likely offer him the biggest contract as they have a history of overpaying people, will Hollins must decide between loyalty and money, the age-old debate in professional sports.
Hollins certainly sounds happy to be in this position; however the head coach would like to not worry about the contract situation and focus on improving whatever team he is a part of.
"It's nice to be in that boat. But I don't gloat and think that nobody is this or nobody is that. It's not even about any of those teams. It's about my life and my goals and what I'm trying to accomplish. It has nothing to do with anybody else. There are a lot of coaches who have been in a situation where it took a while for an opportunity to get a job. And then they ran out and proved they were great coaches," Hollins said.
Decisions will have to be made sooner rather than later. If Memphis delays offering a new deal, another team will come in quickly and swoop Hollins off his feet.
