The hiring of top assistant Charles Lee as the next head coach of the Charlotte Hornets means that the Celtics already know they have a significant void in Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff for the upcoming season. There might already be a suitable candidate for that role on Boston’s payroll. According to league sources cited by Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Celtics are considering adding Jeff Van Gundy to Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff for the upcoming campaign.
Van Gundy was brought on by the Celtics in October as a senior consultant for basketball operations. The seasoned coach worked and traveled with the club in Boston, advising with the Maine Celtics in between. Van Gundy has been a regular fixture at team practices and away from the team during Boston’s run to the NBA Finals this season.
Back in April, Brad Stevens discussed Van Gundy’s influence on the squad this season.
Stevens remarked, “Jeff’s been great.” And it extends to every member of the coaching staff. They have been excellent. Our six player improvement coaches have done an incredible job working with our “stay ready” group under Jeff’s consultant role.
Van Gundy had been an ESPN broadcaster for the previous sixteen years, but this was his first NBA job with the Celtics. Before becoming a color analyst, Van Gundy was a successful NBA coach for several teams, amassing a 430-318 record in 11 seasons with the Knicks and Rockets. Additionally, according to reports, he has a solid relationship with Stevens, which will probably help Boston’s chances of hiring him after ESPN fired him last year.
Stevens remarked, “I will say this, I’ve known Jeff for a long time and gotten to spend a lot of time with him over the years.” Enjoying a game with him is enjoyable when he isn’t limited to speaking in 15-second soundbites. He’s quite amusing.
After Adrian Griffin was fired, Van Gundy’s name surfaced as a potential contender for the Bucks job. According to Stein, he also reportedly declined a position on Jason Kidd’s coaching staff in Dallas last summer.
Lee may not be the only coach leaving Boston this offseason; he is staying with the Celtics during their run to the NBA Finals before going to the Hornets. In the last month, Sam Cassell has already conducted interviews for a number of head coaching jobs, including the Lakers position.
It’s clear that Mazzulla and the Celtics have more important things to do than hire a new coach for the upcoming campaign. Van Gundy, though, has obviously developed a rapport with Mazzulla this season and seems like a fascinating addition to the bench going forward. Like it did for Lee last year, it might also be a terrific chance for Van Gundy to become a top contender for head coaching openings in the future.