Despite an NBA Finals appearance in his first season and the best record in the Eastern Conference so far this season, David Blatt has been fired as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Blatt will surely be without a coaching job for the rest of this season, but looking toward next season here are five potential landing spots for him.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Getty ImagesThe Lakers are headed for a reset this summer, with Byron Scott unlikely to be kept as head coach and Kobe Bryant headed for retirement. Blatt will probably be on any list of potential candidates for the Lakers job.
4. Phoenix Suns
Christian Petersen Getty Images
The Suns have not been good on the court this year, and there are signs of discourse behind the scenes. Jeff Hornacek may keep his job through the end of the season, but Phoenix will be in the market for a new coach this summer.
3. Brooklyn Nets
Getty ImagesThe Nets fired Lionel Hollins a couple weeks ago, and it's unclear what direction the franchise's entire operation will go. Blatt's success as a Euroleague head coach may appeal to owner Mikhail Prokhorov, and I assume he'll drive the decision to hire a new coach.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin C. Cox Getty ImagesFlip Saunders (R.I.P.) once had interest in hiring Blatt as an assistant, and Sam Mitchell's long-term viability as the coach of a young Timberwolves' team is in doubt. Blatt might be a better fit.
1. Houston Rockets
Scott Halleran Getty ImagesBlatt's apparent struggles with star power in Cleveland would seem to make him a bad fit in Houston, with James Harden and Dwight Howard in place. But he may be enough of an outside-the-box thinker to appeal to Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, and if Howard decides to become a free agent the team's roster composition could be a better fit than it looks like right now.
