NBA

Nets likely to interview Hollins, Shaw soon

MIAMI — About a month after their season came to an end, some clarity could soon be coming to the Nets’ coaching search.

Two potential candidates expected to be at or near the top of the team’s list of desired replacements for P.J. Carlesimo — Lionel Hollins and Brian Shaw — could become available to be interviewed in the coming days.

Hollins, who led the Grizzlies to the best season in franchise history, setting a team record with 56 wins as well as advancing to the Western Conference finals for the first time, has been given permission to speak to other teams after his contract talks with Memphis have stalled, according to multiple reports.

Given his accomplishments in Memphis, where the Grizzlies have seen their winning percentage increase in each of his four full seasons as coach, Hollins is expected to draw interest from teams still looking for head coaches for next season, including the Nets and Clippers.

Shaw, the Pacers’ associate head coach, could also become available for interviews as soon as tomorrow, depending on what happens in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals tonight between the Heat and Pacers.

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Team president Donnie Walsh has said repeatedly Shaw, widely considered to be one of the league’s top assistant coaches, will be made available to teams to interview for vacant positions once the Pacers are out of the playoffs.

A win against the Heat, however, could push Shaw’s availability back as far as a couple of weeks, depending on how long the NBA Finals last.

Shaw, who previously worked for several years as an assistant under Phil Jackson with the Lakers after winning multiple championships as a player alongside Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, is also expected to draw interest from the Nets and Clippers, along with the Pistons, given that owner Tom Gores has hired Jackson as a consultant to aid in their search.