The Hawks will soon begin to talk to candidates for their yet-to-be vacant head coach position. One of those candidates will be former Heat and Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
General manager Danny Ferry has spoken to several people outside the organization, including Van Gundy, as he and his staff determine the direction of the franchise. Such talks have been of a general nature concerning different aspects of the organization and not specifically about the head coach position. Ferry and Van Gundy have not met, but could do so soon.
A Yahoo Sports report that the Hawks are “aggressively” pursuing Van Gundy is not accurate, according to the person with knowledge of the situation.
Related: Photos of possible Hawks candidates
Larry Drew, whose three-year contract expires June 30, is still considered a candidate. He has been informed of Ferry’s plan to expand the search.
“I have great appreciation and respect for Larry and how he led our team this season,” Ferry told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday. “At the same time, it is my responsibility and in the best interests of the Hawks organization to consider all of our options, and talk with other potential head coaches before making a decision about who will lead our basketball team. Larry and I have had open communication about this approach. If Larry and I continue to work together, we ultimately will be a stronger organization because of our discussions and this thorough process.”
Ferry has numerous decisions this offseason, including the selection of a head coach and what the roster will look like next season.
Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer, whom Ferry worked with during his two stints in San Antonio, also is someone the team could speak to about the head coach position. Quin Snyder, an assistant with CSKA Moscow, currently is not a candidate.
There are five vacant head coaching positions in the NBA, with the Nets, 76ers, Bobcats, Pistons and Bucks having vacancies.
Van Gundy, who was reported to be a candidate for the Bucks, coached the Heat and Magic to the Eastern Conference finals. He led the Magic to the 2009 NBA finals.
Van Gundy had a rocky relationship with center Dwight Howard during their tenure in Orlando. The Hawks will pursue the unrestricted free agent this summer with more than $33 million in salary-cap space.
Drew has said he would like an opportunity to interview for another head coaching position should he not be retained by the Hawks.
