Indiana Pacers

Former Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni reportedly believes he is one of three finalists for the Indianapolis Pacers' vacant head coaching position, according to J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star.

Per that report, the Pacers "are expected to bring back three coaching finalists before this month is out to meet with ownership."

Michael also reported that he expects former NBA player Chauncey Billups to be a finalist, though Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium later noted that Billups would be joining the staff of Tyronn Lue with the Los Angeles Clippers after his hiring was reported Thursday. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Oct. 2 that the team would be conducting a second round of interviews that included former Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger and New Orleans Pelicans assistant Chris Finch, with Joerger a "strong contender" in the search.

Billups was also expected to get "a sit-down" at the time. Joerger, however, has reportedly taken a job as an assistant on Doc Rivers' staff in Philadelphia, per Woj. 

Additionally, Pacers reporter Scott Agness tweeted earlier in the week that Miami Heat assistants Dan Craig and Chris Quinn were expected to interview. And The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported Tuesday that Finch is "considered the front-runner" for the vacant gig. 

As for D'Antoni, he has now been the head coach for five teams in his career, spending time with the Denver Nuggets (1998-99), Phoenix Suns (2003-08), New York Knicks (2008-12), Los Angeles Lakers (2012-14) and Houston Rockets (2016-20). 

D'Antoni's career has been hit-or-miss. With the personnel that suited his preferred style of play (floor spacing, fast offense) in Phoenix and Houston, he went a combined 470-237 and made the postseason in eight of nine years. 

But in Los Angeles and New York, his combined record was just 188-254 and he made the postseason just twice in six years. 

The Pacers are positioned well to remain a playoff team, with talented players in Victor Oladipo, Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis, T.J. Warren and Myles Turner. It's possible the roster could see some shake-up this offseason, but the Pacers will be expected to reach the postseason regardless of who takes over as coach. 

The Indiana Pacers are still conducting interviews for their vacant head coaching position, but a front-runner has reportedly emerged from the pack. 

Per The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, New Orleans Pelicans assistant Chris Finch is considered the favorite for the Pacers job. 

O'Connor noted Miami Heat assistants Chris Quinn and Dan Craig will speak with Indiana at some point. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Oct. 2 that the Pacers had already met with Finch and Dave Joerger, and ESPN analyst Chauncey Billups was going to have an interview. 

Finch spent the past three seasons working as an assistant on Alvin Gentry's staff in New Orleans. He previously worked as an assistant with the Houston Rockets (2011-16) and Denver Nuggets (2016-17). 

Prior to those jobs, Finch spent two years as head coach of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA Development League. He was named Coach of the Year and led the team to a title during the 2009-10 season. 

Indiana has been in the market for a head coach since firing Nate McMillan on Aug. 26. He went 183-136 and made the playoffs in each of his four seasons with the team, but the Pacers lost in the first round each time and were swept three times. 

Victor Oladipo's desire to leave the Indiana Pacers may not be a recent development.

The Athletic's Jared Weiss reported Sept. 27 that Oladipo is "looking to move on this offseason," a rumor the Indianapolis Star's J. Michael corroborated.

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor provided more insight Wednesday: "Oladipo's contract is up following the 2020-21 season. Since January, there have been rumblings among my own league sources about Oladipo's openness to a trade."

Only three years after watching the Paul George saga play out, Pacers fans will understandably be frustrated the same thing might be happening with Oladipo.

The circumstances don't necessarily mirror one another, though.

After missing all but six games during the 2014-15 season because of a fractured tibia and fibula, George immediately returned to his usual self. He was an All-Star in 2016 and 2017, averaging what was then a career-high 23.7 points in 2016-17.

Oladipo, on the other hand, has struggled since coming back from a ruptured right quad tendon.

He averaged 14.5 points and 2.9 assists over 19 regular-season appearances while shooting 39.4 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from three. His playoff performance wasn't much better, as he averaged 17.8 points but made only 39.3 percent of his shots in Indiana's first-round exit.

O'Connor referenced Oladipo's contract situation. The 28-year-old is due to earn $21 million in 2020-21 before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Retaining a guy like Oladipo is more important for a team like the Pacers since they aren't normally a free-agent destination for players of his caliber.

Having said that, signing Oladipo—an All-Star in 2018 and 2019—to a massive extension could obviously backfire. Because of his poor finish to 2019-20, his trade value has taken a hit. Still, dealing him now might be the most pragmatic move for the Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers are reportedly scheduled to interview former Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger, former All-Star guard Chauncey Billups and New Orleans Pelicans associate head coach Chris Finch about their head coaching vacancy.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the update Friday, noting those three names in particular amid a "roster of interviews." 

Billups' name started to gain traction in the coaching carousel after the Brooklyn Nets hired Steve Nash, a fellow standout point guard with no formal coaching experience, in early September.

The Detroit Pistons legend has worked in the media since his retirement from the NBA in 2014, including stints with ESPN and the Los Angeles Clippers' broadcast team.

In April, he told Kendra Andrews of The Athletic he'd had an eye on either coaching or an executive role in the NBA since late in his playing days.

"Probably my last two or three years is when I really started thinking about, 'OK, this is my last year, so what am I going to do?'" Billups said. "I started to prepare myself for three different avenues. One was being a coach, one was working in a front office and the third was TV. Basketball is my first love, so I knew I wanted to stay in the game in some capacity."

As a player, he was named NBA Finals MVP while helping lead the Pistons to a title in 2004, and he earned five All-Star selections in a row beginning in 2006.

Joerger has compiled a 245-247 regular-season record across six years (three apiece with the Grizzlies and Kings) as an NBA head coach. His teams posted a 9-13 mark in the playoffs, winning just one series in three appearances.

Finch spent 14 years as a head coach in Europe before taking his first stateside coaching job with the G League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He was named the G League Coach of the Year in 2010. He's since worked as an assistant with the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets and Pelicans.

The Pacers are searching for a replacement for Nate McMillan, who was fired in August. He guided the team to the playoffs in all four years he was in charge, but it failed to advance beyond the first round, posting a 3-16 record in the postseason.

Indiana hasn't reached the NBA Finals since 2000.

With Doc Rivers landing a new job with the Philadelphia 76ers almost as quickly as he became a free agent, the biggest name on the coaching market is once again Mike D'Antoni. It may not stay that way for long. 

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarnowski, the Indiana Pacers have interest in the former Houston Rockets coach and could look to sit down with him in the near future after D'Antoni missed out on the Sixers opening. 

"He was very intrigued with the Philadelphia situation," Wojnarowski said on SportsCenter. "There are still openings out there—I think one that bears watching, perhaps, is Indiana. The Pacers are still in the early stages of a search. They've been talking to candidates. They haven't narrowed the field down too far yet." 

The Pacers parted ways with head coach Nate McMillan in late August after four straight seasons ended with a first-round playoff loss. 

While D'Antoni has seen more playoff success overall, the coach hasn't advanced past the second round since taking the Rockets to the Western Conference Finals in 2018. 

Yet few stars in the NBA demand the ball as much as James Harden and Russell Westbrook. In leaving Houston, D'Antoni should be able to construct a more cohesive offense, even if he chooses to stick with his small-ball scheme. 

That's precisely why Indiana could make sense. With the core of Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo all in their prime, there's enough versatility and playmaking for D'Antoni to keep looking for new ways to gain an offensive advantage. 

The Rockets averaged 107.7 points per game last season and finished with the No. 9 offense in basketball. The Pacers were further down at No. 15 with 100.8 points per game. 

A foundation has been built in Indiana. It will take the right coach to make it a contender.

"It'll be interesting to see if Mike D'Antoni and Indiana—if there's a conversation at the very least for them to have," Wojnarowski said. 

With both Rivers and Philadelphia off the board, that conversation should become a bit more likely.  

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo addressed rumors about his future with the team Wednesday.

"I'm a Pacer, man," he told rapper Fat Joe on Instagram Live (h/t Clutch Points). "I'm a Pacer, dawg. I'm a Pacer. I can't control the rumors, man. ... All of the ones on the internet, I don't even know where they come from. I'm just in the background, working out, working on my knee, trying to get right for next year."

Oladipo's career took off in his fifth season in 2017-18 after the Oklahoma City Thunder traded him to the Pacers in the Paul George deal. He led the league with 2.4 steals per game while averaging 23.1 points. He made the All-Star team in each of his first two seasons with the Pacers.

But in January 2019, Oladipo ruptured a quad tendon in his right knee. After sitting out a full year, he played in 19 games this season as the Pacers finished 45-28. The 28-year-old had said he wouldn't return for the league restart in Orlando, Florida, but after joining the Pacers to continue his rehab, he played in 10 games, including all four games of Indiana's first-round sweep by the eventual Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat.

He began his career with the Orlando Magic, who drafted him out of Indiana with the second overall pick in 2013. After three seasons in Orlando, the team traded him to Oklahoma City, where he played for one year. Through seven seasons, Oladipo has not advanced past the first round of the playoffs.

The Athletic's Jared Weiss reported Sunday that Oladipo was looking to move on from the Pacers. His contract with Indiana expires after the 2020-21 season. As the Pacers search for a head coach after firing Nate McMillan in August, they will have to consider whether it's worth it to shop Oladipo rather than risk his departure next season without receiving something in return.

Victor Oladipo has one year remaining on his contract with the Indiana Pacers, but he is reportedly "looking to move on" this offseason, according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic.

Weiss speculated the guard could be part of a trade with the Boston Celtics, sending Gordon Hayward near his home in Indiana in a package that also includes draft picks.

Oladipo has earned two All-Star selections in three years with the Pacers but was inconsistent in 2019-20 while recovering from a quad injury that cost him about a full year of action. He finished the season averaging 14.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

The 28-year-old was better in the playoffs with an average of 17.8 points per game, including three 20-point efforts in four games, but he was still the third option behind Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. Warren on a team that was swept in the first round.

His role could be reduced even more when Domantas Sabonis returns from injury.

Losing out on shots for a franchise that has lost nine straight playoff games and has five straight first-round exits is likely enough to cause anyone to consider other opportunities.

At his best, Oladipo can be a go-to option as he proved during his breakout 2017-18 season, when he was named the NBA's Most Improved Player. The former Magic and Thunder player averaged 23.1 points per game that season, adding 4.3 assists and a league-leading 2.4 steals.

Despite just one year remaining on his contract, there hasn't been much talk of an extension.

"We don't feel any rush to make any quick decision on Victor," Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard said last month, per J. Michael of the Indy Star. "...It will be up to him. He will have the choice. It's his first time to have autonomous choice. He can go and do whatever he wants."

One option could be the New York Knicks, who have reportedly been targeting the guard since at least May, per Sam Amico of Sports Illustrated.

With the Celtics and others potentially also looking at trades, it seems Oladipo and the Pacers will have options regarding his future.

As the Indiana Pacers continue their search for a new head coach, Toronto Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren recently interviewed for the job. 

Raptors head coach Nick Nurse confirmed Bjorkgren's interview during an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio with Frank Isola on Wednesday. 

Since firing Nate McMillan on Aug. 26, the Pacers have cast a wide net in their head-coaching search. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported their initial list of interviews included at least 14 candidates.

On Tuesday, Chris Sheridan of BasketballNews.com reported former Houston Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni "will likely" be hired by the Pacers or Philadelphia 76ers. 

Bjorkgren has worked as an assistant on Nurse's staff in Toronto for the past two seasons. The 45-year-old's first assistant coaching job was with the Phoenix Suns when he was hired to be part of then-head coach Jeff Hornacek's staff before the 2015-16 season. 

The Pacers have made the playoffs in each of the past five seasons, including all four years under McMillan. They haven't advanced beyond the first round since 2014 and were swept three times in McMillan's four seasons. 

The Indiana Pacers will reportedly interview Golden State Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown for their head coaching vacancy, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Saturday.

Indiana fired Nate McMillan after he spent four seasons at the helm on the heels of getting swept by the Miami Heat in the first-round of the playoffs. The Pacers reached the postseason in each of McMillan's four years, but they never won a series and got swept three times.

Brown has been an assistant under Steve Kerr in Golden State for the past four seasons, but he previously had stints as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers.

Brown first became an NBA head coach in 2005-06 with the Cavs and remained in that role through 2009-10. He later returned to coach the Cavaliers for one more season in 2013-14.

With LeBron James leading the way, Brown reached the playoffs in each of his first five seasons as a head coach. He won at least 50 games four times and at least 60 games twice during that run.

Brown and the Cavs reached the NBA Finals in 2007, but they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs largely because of a lack of supporting stars around LeBron.

When James left the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season, Brown left as well. After taking one year off, Brown was hired by the Lakers as their head coach for the 2011-12 season, and there were huge expectations placed on his shoulders.

L.A. went 41-25 and reached the playoffs, but it was eliminated in the second round. The expectations grew for 2012-13, as the Lakers acquired center Dwight Howard and point guard Steve Nash to play alongside Kobe Bryant. After a 1-4 start to that season, however, Brown was fired.

Brown then coached Cleveland to a 33-49 record in 2013-14 before the Warriors hired him as an assistant in 2016.

The 50-year-old Brown won a pair of championships as part of Golden State's coaching staff, and he played a huge role in the Warriors winning the title in 2017, going 12-0 as acting head coach during the 2016-17 playoffs when Kerr was out because of back issues.

Brown has proved to be a quality head coach over the years with six playoff appearances and a career regular-season record of 347-216 (.616) to his credit.

The Pacers are a talented team led by Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner and T.J. Warren, but they have been unable to get over the hump against the Eastern Conference's elite teams.

With an experienced, winning coach such as Brown on the sidelines, however, perhaps Indiana could become a threat in the East.

Former NBA star Chauncey Billups "has emerged as a candidate" for the Indiana Pacers' head-coaching vacancy, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.   

Per that report, "As the Pacers begin preliminary interviews with a number of candidates, Billups and the Pacers officials have recently engaged and are planning to talk further conversations about the job, sources said."

Woj added that Billups "fits the historical profile of past Pacers coaches Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas: NBA Finals MVPs considered generational leaders of men—who were hired without coaching experience."

Another former star point guard with no coaching experience recently landed a high-profile gig when Steve Nash was hired as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. 

While there have been reports that Tyronn Lue was hoping to hire Billups as an assistant coach for his staff once he lands with a team, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported last week that he was interested in becoming a head coach. He had previously been in talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers to take over as their general manager in 2017, though he pulled out of consideration. 

As Haynes noted, the 43-year-old was "viewed by most of his teammates as a player-coach" during his career. Haynes added that "his leadership skills and knack for hitting big shots gave him iconic status around the league. He was always one of the most respected players among his peers and coaches."

Billups played 17 NBA seasons, averaging 15.2 points and 5.4 assists per game. He was an NBA champion, a five-time All-Star, a three-time All-NBA selection (second team once, third team twice) and a two-time All-Defensive second-team selection. 

In Indiana, he'd take over a talented if somewhat ill-fitting Pacers roster that was swept in the opening round of this year's playoffs by the Miami Heat. There are major questions marks about the future of Victor Oladipo in Indiana, as well as the fit between big men Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis. 

Solving those issues would be up to the front office (though Woj reported that Billups has developed a relationship with Oladipo and Malcolm Brogdon in recent years). Ending Indiana's streak of five postseason appearances without advancing beyond the first round would be his early goal should he take the gig.