The Cavs have reportedly asked for permission to interview Alvin Gentry for its head coaching vacancy. Gentry is a current assistant coach with the Clippers and former head coach of the Suns. Via the Akron Beacon Journal:
A separate source with knowledge of the coaching search said the Cavs have not interviewed any candidates yet.
Gentry, 59, is considered a leading candidate for the Cavs job because of his Phoenix ties to General Manager David Griffin. He has a 335-370 record in parts of 12 seasons as a head coach with the Phoenix Suns, Clippers and Detroit Pistons. He also served as interim coach of the Miami Heat.
He has reached the playoffs twice, winning 54 games and reaching the Western Conference finals with the Suns in 2010.
The Cavs aren’t in a rush to hire a head coach and have planned an extensive, wide-ranging search that includes multiple candidates.
Landing the No. 1 pick in the draft this week certainly makes the Cavs’ job seem more attractive.
“It makes us a more attractive destination than we already were,” Griffin said.
ESPN reported that the Cavs have also reached out to University of Florida coach Billy Donovan.
