Monday 24 August 2020 19:01, UK
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is on the shortlist of candidates to take charge of the Brooklyn Nets.
According toThe Athletic, Popovich's former pupil in San Antonio - current Nets general manager Sean Marks - is hoping to lure the five-time championship coach from the Spurs.
Popovich has been head coach of the Spurs since 1996 and coached Marks, who later worked in the Spurs' front office.
The 71-year-old, who is also currently head coach of USA national roster, is under contract with the Spurs and any move would likely require draft compensation in return.
The Nets were swept out of the 2020 playoffs by the Toronto Raptors in a series that finished on Sunday. As the offseason begins, Marks noted the significance of finding the right head coach to lead a roster that will look a lot different next season.
The Nets' playoff team was not a complete group in terms of health. Kevin Durant sat out the entire season but the known Popovich ally is due back at the start of next season, as is Kyrie Irving. When Irving requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017, the Spurs were one of the teams on his list.
Several current Nets employees, including interim head coach Jacque Vaughn and assistant general manager Andy Birdsong, are also from the Popovich coaching tree in San Antonio.
Vaughn has been in the role since March when he replaced Kenny Atkinson, who was sacked with reports at the time suggesting that several players had wanted his departure.
Among other candidates, Jason Kidd, Tyronn Lue, Ime Udoka and Jeff Van Gundy have been mentioned as options to be the next coach of the Nets.
