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5 Possible Long-Term Replacements For Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach David Blatt

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Despite having the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers fired head coach David Blatt on Friday.

LeBron James’ relationship with a new coach will surely drive any decisions by the organization, and here are five possible long-term replacements for Blatt.

5. Jeff Van Gundy

Jeff Van Gundy Getty Images
Van Gundy has a nice gig calling games for ESPN and ABC, but a return to coaching can't ever be completely ruled out. The Cavaliers may be the right opportunity, if things go a certain way over the rest of this season.

Van Gundy has a nice gig calling games for ESPN and ABC, but a return to coaching can't ever be completely ruled out. The Cavaliers may be the right opportunity, if things go a certain way over the rest of this season.

4. Lionel Hollins

Lionel Hollins Getty Images
Hollins was recently fired by the Brooklyn Nets (in the middle of his second season as head coach), but his prior success with the Memphis Grizzlies will put him in line for a new opportunity. He would at least come into the job with an NBA resume, which would surely appease LeBron James as an opposite to Blatt.

Hollins was recently fired by the Brooklyn Nets (in the middle of his second season as head coach), but his prior success with the Memphis Grizzlies will put him in line for a new opportunity. He would at least come into the job with an NBA resume, which would surely appease LeBron James as an opposite to Blatt.

3. Monty Williams

Monty Williams Getty Images
After five seasons as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, including two playoff appearances, Williams is currently an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. If the Cavaliers' brass decides to quickly move another direction after the season, Williams should be on their list of candidates.

After five seasons as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, including two playoff appearances, Williams is currently an assistant coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder. If the Cavaliers' brass decides to quickly move another direction after the season, Williams should be on their list of candidates.

2. Mark Jackson

Mark Jackson Getty Images
The recent success of the Golden State Warriors obscures the job Jackson did, taking them from 23 to 51 regular season wins over his three seasons as coach. It would have to be a considerable opportunity to move Jackson away from his work at ESPN/ABC, but Cleveland could provide that if the coach who is next on this list proves to be in over his head.

The recent success of the Golden State Warriors obscures the job Jackson did, taking them from 23 to 51 regular season wins over his three seasons as coach. It would have to be a considerable opportunity to move Jackson away from his work at ESPN/ABC, but Cleveland could provide that if the coach who is next on this list proves to be in over his head.

1. Tyronn Lue

Tyronn Lue David Maxwell-Getty Images
Lue was immediately promoted to replace Blatt, and Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has reported a multi-year deal between the two sides. Lue probably has LeBron James in his corner, which should not be overlooked in terms of his ability to keep the job long-term.

Lue was immediately promoted to replace Blatt, and Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports has reported a multi-year deal between the two sides. Lue probably has LeBron James in his corner, which should not be overlooked in terms of his ability to keep the job long-term.

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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