The Cleveland Cavs' coaching search remains quiet, but don't be fooled. The number one pick in the 2014 NBA Draft is slowly putting the Cavs' opening on par with the marquee head coaching vacancies left in the sport. What does that mean? Find out with our Top 5 Cleveland Cavs Head Coaching Candidates As Of May 22nd:
5. Vinny Del Negro
Del Negro is the perfect example of a decent coach who may find it hard to get a job due to the hyperactive news cycle of the Twitter generation. He has his failings, and those failings were replayed over and over again on social media during his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers- so much so that it was hard to differentiate the actual coach from what people were saying about him. Can the Cavs look past that? Is Del Negro perceived as damaged goods, especially after intimating that Chris Paul was the recent he was fired in favor of Doc Rivers? Those answers are yet to come.
4. Mark Jackson
Jackson's multi-year deal to return to ESPN makes this tricky. However, that doesn't stop him from looking at jobs that may present an irresistible mix of cap space, lottery luck, and young talent - wait, is that the Cavs' job? That's the Cavs' job! Don't underestimate the power of the number one overall pick in this draft to bring coaches previously thought to be out of the market back into it.
3. George Karl
George Karl wants to be a member of the Cleveland Cavs' staff one way or another. He has said as much on several occasions and it would be silly to think that the Cavs are not listening. Don't mistake Cavs GM David Griffin's silence as disinterest. When all the options are laid out on the table for this coaching search, the celebrated Karl will stick out for all the right reasons.
2. Adrian Griffin
Griffin holds steady at number two on our list and why not? The Chicago Bulls assistant coach has an extremely high basketball IQ and a great defensive pedigree from his work under Tom Thibodeau in the Windy City. The Cavs could very well get Griffin at a discount compared to other coaches in this search, and still pick up the same amount of value from a guy who is sure to give it all on his first big break.
1. Lionel Hollins
Defense wins championships, right? Well, not fully. Defense and a game-changing player wins championships. Lionel Hollins can sure bring the defense, as evidenced from the amazing work he did in helping to build the Memphis Grizzlies into a ball-hawking juggernaut. Add a potentially rejuvenated Kyrie Irving and a potential franchise player at number one in June's draft and you have a potential recipe for celebration in Cleveland.
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