One of the biggest free agents this year in the NBA is not a player, it is a coach. Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins continues to have his name thrown around with multiple teams interested in him. Originally the Grizzlies had said they intend on retaining the coach that has been with the team since 2009. Now, they are officially giving Hollins permission to speak with other teams.
The sweepstakes for the coach officially begins. After the Gizzlies were eliminated in a four-game series with the San Antonio Spurs, Hollins has been in hot pursuit. He led Memphis to one of their best seasons in franchise history, bringing the team to the Western Conference finals. They record 56 regular-season wins for the first time.
Hollins relationship with Memphis has been generally positive, but the 59-year old was upset when the team traded away Rudy Gay in late January. There have been doubts that Hollins is unwilling to worker with new owner Robert Pera after the trade with Toronto happened. Along with his displeasure with the front office, his relationship with star Zach Randolph has seen its struggles as well.
Hollins' contract officially expires June 30. Multiple teams are expected to make a run at the coach. The Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers have been the two teams that have been primarily interested in Hollins. They were reaching out while the Grizzlies were still involved in the playoffs. Both teams are prepared to offer Hollins a lot of money, which could leave Memphis out of the picture.
Along with Hollins possibly leaving, Randolph might be on his way out sooner rather than later. The forward has drawn a lot of trade interest in the past. He currently has $34 million left on the final two years of his contract. While Randolph is a key piece to providing Memphis with a balanced team, his struggles in the postseason has put his future in question.
Center Marc Gasol and point guard Mike Conley are considered the only two players to be locks to remain in Memphis. Rival teams view the two as "untouchables" after they attended a dinner with Pera earlier in the season. No other player was present. Conley has said he is very involved in team decisions.
If Hollins does leave Memphis for a larger market, the Grizzlies could possibly look within the organization to replace him. Assistant coach Dave Joerger is the leading candidate to be named the new head coach.
