Byron

Scott

Broussard’s sources described the talks as “preliminary” because the team’s front office is putting together a list of candidates to present to owner Donald Sterling. Jeff Van Gundy, Nate McMillan, Brian Shaw and Lionel Hollins are reportedly among the names on the early list. Warriors assistant Mike Malone has also been connected to the Clippers, but the Kings are reportedly very interested in Malone, as well. Both Malone and Scott have a close relationship with Chris Paul, who is likely involved in the decision-making process despite being slated for unrestricted free agency this summer.

Vecsey is sometimes informed, and sometimes a rumor monger, but we’re inclined to believe this particular report. Donald Sterling is known to be a fan of Scott’s, while Shaw has been on the Clippers’ radar since initially firing Vinny Del Negro. We’d be surprised if the team hired Lionel Hollins or Nate McMillan ahead of either Shaw or Scott.

That’s a pretty banal statement and the same sentiment was passed along when Brian Shaw interviewed, so we’re not reading into this very much at all. The Clippers have interviewed Shaw and Scott, and will now talk to Lionel Hollins and Nate McMillan regarding their open head coaching job. Donald Sterling will make the final decision.

Scott has a connection with Chris Paul, but other than that it’s hard to say who might be in the lead as the Clippers interview a handful of candidates this week. Brian Shaw, Lionel Hollins and Nate McMillan are also scheduled to be seen this week.

Both Scott and Malone are known to have a close relationship with the franchise’s star Chris Paul, so it’s not a shock to see either name on the list. Scott was let go by the Cavs after the season while Malone has been an assistant with Mark Jackson on the Warriors bench and is gaining steam as a head coaching candidate for a few teams.

That was the same report ESPN gave on Scott’s first chat with the Clippers, although the Sterling factor amplifies the importance of this meeting. The Clippers and Sterling were meeting with one of the other finalists, Brian Shaw, on Wednesday and sources told Broussard that Sterling could decide on the team’s next coach as early as Friday or he could take the weekend to think it over. Of course, this was all before Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Clippers re-engaged the Celtics in Doc Rivers-related trade talks late Wednesday afternoon, which throws a massive monkey wrench into everything once again. Stay tuned.

Scott met with the team on June 12 and his interview went “very well,” and now he’ll get a second sit down, this time with Clippers owner Donald Sterling. With the Clippers’ pursuit of Doc Rivers still up in the air, the team will put pressure on Boston by moving forward with other potential candidates.

The Clippers have yet to take that step with Lionel Hollins and Brian Shaw, so this report suggests that Scott is surprisingly ahead of the other two. Of course, the Clippers and Celtics trade talk isn’t going away and the Clippers are believed to be waiting on a definitive answer on Doc Rivers.

Scott was fired Thursday after years as Cleveland’s head coach. He finished with a record of 64-166 but was saddled with a rebuilding team recovering from losing LeBron James to the Heat. Scott also had to deal with multiple injuries to key players, especially this season with Anderson Varejao missing most of the season and Kyrie Irving suffering multiple injuries.

Scott’s future has been a topic of discussion since the beginning of April, and while he’s dismissed concerns about his job security, it’s hard to overlook the reports at this point since several are pointing toward the idea that he’ll be shown the door. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Scott shown the door.