The Nets are looking to hire a big name with a strong track record to fill their vacant head coaching position, and those big names seem to either have no interest or it’s just not the right time.
ESPN Boston is reporting that the Brooklyn Nets reached out to the Boston Celtics to get permission to speak with Doc Rivers about their head coaching position, but were strongly denied by Danny Ainge.
Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge denied the Brooklyn Nets permission to speak to Doc Rivers about their vacant coaching position, team and league sources confirmed to ESPNBoston.com.
Reached late Thursday, Ainge refused to comment on the Nets’ interest in Rivers and reiterated that he expects him back on the Celtics’ bench next season.
“Doc has told me he’s coming back,” Ainge said bluntly. “I talk to him almost every day about our team and what we are going to do moving forward.”
Sources also indicate the Nets will inquire about Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins at some point. Rivers himself had already made it known he was returning to the Celtics.