Lionel Hollins told ESPN Tuesday he hopes to be back with the Memphis Grizzlies but is being "realistic" about his coaching future in the NBA. After leading the Grizzlies to their longest playoff run in franchise history, the veteran coach is a hot commodity and is being mentioned as a candidate elsewhere.
The Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets all have coaching vacancies and could be possibilities for the Memphis coach. Hollins said nobody has asked to talk to him yet about his future with the Grizzlies after Memphis was swept in the Western Conference Finals Monday night after a 93-86 loss to the Spurs. He wants to be paid fair-market value, but he said money will not be the final factor.
"Hopefully, I will be here," Hollins said. "I love the guys. I love this city and the fans and everybody associated with the team. But we've got to be very, very realistic in what the future holds."
Clippers owner Donald Sterling was at Game 1 of the Western finals in San Antonio with speculation that he was taking a close look at Hollins, who knocked Los Angeles out of the playoffs in the first round.
The Clippers have yet to formally request permission from the Grizzlies to speak to Hollins, whose contract expires at the end of June, but intend to do so soon, sources told ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne.
Hollins said he wouldn't expect the Grizzlies to grant teams permission to speak to him before his contract expires. "Why would they [give permission]? I wouldn't," he told reporters, according to The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal.
Hollins had little negotiating leverage in 2010 when he accepted a contract from then-owner Michael Heisley. Now Robert Pera controls ownership of the small market franchise and Hollins had his longest talk with the new boss after Monday night's loss, though his future was not mentioned.
"I think he just wants to win," Hollins said.
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
