Clippers have had preliminary talks with head coaching candidates

As other potential candidates have gotten hired for head coaching jobs, the Clippers have continued their search for a replacement for Vinny Del Negro by having preliminary discussions with several people in the last few days.

The Clippers recently have reached out to one of their top choices, Indiana associate head coach Brian Shaw, said two NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The Clippers were given permission to speak to Shaw by Indiana’s front office, one executive said. Shaw, whose Pacers team is playing the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals, told the Clippers that he’s very interested in the job, the executive said.

The Clippers also called former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott, the executive said, and was told that he too is interested. Scott, who was fired by the Cavaliers after the season and is owned about $4 million for next season, coached Chris Paul when both were with the New Orleans Hornets.

ESPN analyst and former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy also had preliminary discussions with the Clippers, the executive said, and was said to have an interest in the job.

Alvin Gentry, a former coach of the Phoenix Suns and the Clippers, has talked with the team about the job and expressed his interest, two executives said.

Another name that popped up was former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. Sloan’s representatives called the Clippers about the opening, one executive said, but he appears to have backed away from trying to land the job.

The Clippers haven’t had any discussions with Memphis Coach Lionel Hollins, two executives said. His contract expires on June 30.

The discussions with the Clippers were all in the preliminary stages, the executives said, and no interviews had been set.

One candidate the Clippers were interested in, Golden State assistant coach Mike Malone, was hired Thursday to be the head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

Another candidate the Clippers was interested in, San Antonio assistant coach Mike Budenholzer, took the head job in Atlanta on Wednesday.

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