My best read, at this juncture, is that Boston Celtics assistant coach Will Hardy could well be at the front of the line to succeed Popovich if Pop steps down this offseason and the club finds itself needing to make an immediate hire. With Becky Hammon off to the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces — she actually left the Spurs this week before the New Orleans game to start her new job — San Antonio wouldn’t face near the scrutiny or criticism it might have by selecting someone from the assistant ranks other than Hammon to take over.