Sacramento Kings said to mull David Blatt as coach
ESPN reports former Cleveland Cavaliers coach among candidates to replace George Karl
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David Blatt, the Israeli American who was fired this season as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is reportedly set to interview for the same position at the Sacramento Kings.
Citing unnamed league sources, ESPN reported that Blatt will join a long list of candidates who have interviewed for the position as the King’s seek a replacement for George Karl.
Among those who have already taken a seat in the interview room are former Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro and former New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson.
Blatt interviewed for the New York Knicks last month and was also considered by the Los Angeles Lakers, who signed Luke Walton last week.
After he was fired in January, Blatt said he wanted to remain in the NBA, as opposed to returning to coaching in Israel and the European leagues, where he led Maccabi Tel Aviv to five national titles and the 2014 Euroleague championship. He also guided the Russian national team to a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
At the time of his dismissal, the Cavaliers had the best record in the Eastern Conference. Some claimed the team’s superstar, LeBron James, undermined the coach. Blatt had led the Cavs to the 2015 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Should Blatt get the job, he will coach the Israeli forward Omri Casspi, another Maccabi alum.
JTA contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.