The Cavs have begun searching for a new head coach after Larry Drew decided to part ways with the team shortly after the conclusion of the regular season. There have been several names tossed about as candidates for the job in the days since, but it sounds like general manager Koby Altman and his constituents are willing to take it slow to find the right person for the job.
Drew served as the Cavs’ head coach for the final 76 games of the 2018-19 regular season. He took the reigns from Tyronn Lue, who was relieved of his duties at the beginning of this campaign.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavs have planned interviews with Miami Heat assistant coach Juwan Howard and Dallas Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley.
In a recent meeting with the media, Altman described what sort of coach he is looking for, as well as what sort of timeline to expect:
Via Ben Axelrod of WKYC in Cleveland:
“We want to make sure we get this right,” Altman said. “We also want to make sure we get to know these candidates really really well, flush this thing out and I hate to keep using this word, but make sure it’s the right fit.
“Make sure it’s the right fit for our front office, for our players, for our fanbase. We want availability, grinding — all that kind of stuff. We want to make sure that’s the right fit and for that person, that we’re the right fit for them too.”
The Cavs have several young players on their roster, including Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman and Ante Zizic. Knowing this, Altman says he is looking for a coach who is willing to help further their development:
“For us, who’s going to be the leader of this franchise moving forward and be a cultural driver, be a teacher?” Altman said. “For us, moving into the future and this era of Cavaliers basketball, it’s important that we find the right fit for that. I’m excited to start that process.”
Cleveland’s head coaching vacancy might be appealing to some, as they are projected to have a top pick in the upcoming draft. The Cavs posted a 19-63 overall record this season, which means the team will have a 14 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick and a 52.1 percent chance of securing a top-four selection. Most experts and analysts believe that Duke’s Zion Williamson will be taken first.
“On its own merits, I think we have tremendous resources. We are going to draft a high impact player regardless of where the ping pong balls land. All those things together are a big part of us being an attractive destination,” Altman said. “We’re not going to sell this job. I think the person that’s right for this job is going to really want to be here. That’s going to be the person that we hire.”
Exactly who the next coach of the Cavs will be remains to be seen. Clearly, though, Altman and his staff are surveying the NBA landscape with a vigilant eye. However, it could be a few weeks before a final decision is made.