Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: The Jazz received permission to interview several assistant coaches for head job, including Johnnie Bryant (Knicks), Will Hardy (Celtics), Charles Lee (Bucks), and Joe Mazzulla (Celtics). Jazz assistant Alex Jensen and Terry Stotts will interview too.
Tag: Johnnie Bryant
New York Knicks associate head coach …
New York Knicks associate head coach Johnnie Bryant—who played collegiately at the University of Utah from 2005-08 and developed a close relationship with Mitchell during the second half of Bryant’s stint as a Jazz player development coach from 2012-20—is considered to be a leading candidate for the position.
There are questions around the league …
There are questions around the league about whether Jazz CEO of basketball operations Danny Ainge will be amenable to catering to Mitchell and his representation. But if Mitchell and Jazz chairman Ryan Smith are aligned on Bryant, or any other candidate, league sources with knowledge of the situation don’t expect Ainge to stand in the way. Ainge is not known to be someone who scours the market of the NBA’s up-and-coming head coaches.
Could the Quin Snyder depature signal the end for Donovan Mitchell with the Jazz?
Donovan Mitchell was reportedly ‘surprised and disappointed’ when he heard the news.
After coaching the Jazz for nearly a decade, Quin Snyder is no longer running the show for Utah. But what does that mean for Donovan Mitchell?
Mitchell, a three-time All-Star, has only ever played for Snyder during his professional career. He has enjoyed tremendous success playing for Snyder, and with rumors swirling about his potential departure, this was the icing on the cake.
There was nothing particularly shocking about Snyder’s decision, and for many, it felt like it was a long time coming. But according to Adrian Wojnarowski, when he learned the news, Mitchell didn’t take it particularly well (via ESPN):
“Amid the reverberations of Quin Snyder’s departure after eight seasons as the Utah Jazz coach, All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell is described as ‘unsettled, unnerved and wondering what it means for the franchise’s future,’ sources told ESPN on Sunday. Mitchell considered Snyder a significant part of his reasoning for committing to a five-year maximum contract extension in 2020, and Snyder’s decision to step away on Sunday has left Mitchell ‘surprised and disappointed’, sources told ESPN.”
Based on what we know about the nature of trade requests, that language certainly suggests Mitchell may want out. We’ve seen this story over and over, and it usually ends with the superstar leaving the small market.
However, all of the other reporting suggests that if one player were to go, experts expect that player would be Rudy Gobert.
Rival organizations are not having much luck in their pursuit of Mitchell thus far, per reports (via The Athletic):
“League sources say multiple teams have called the Jazz to inquire about the trade availability of Mitchell, only to be given a firm no. The Jazz have made it clear they intend on building a roster around Mitchell. The only thing that could possibly pry Mitchell from the Jazz at this point is a monstrous offer. They simply don’t have the intention of trading him.”
Even though the Knicks and Heat are the two teams most often linked as potential suitors, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer recently noted that Mitchell is “expected to remain committed” to Utah.
Fischer also added that it is is “highly unlikely” the Knicks acquire the superstar wing this offseason. So what can the Jazz do to make sure that Mitchell doesn’t demand a trade?
In other words: Donovan Mitchell wants to have a significant say in who the next Jazz's head coach is https://t.co/H4Ot6jFrUp
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) June 5, 2022
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Utah’s personnel changes will likely factor in Mitchell’s desires (via The Hoop Collective):
“My feel is that Jazz are going to do some level of overhaul that does not include Donovan Mitchell in an attempt to to make Donovan more comfortable. And that could work. It could work but it’s going to be difficult.”
We saw that shape up in the immediate aftermath when news broke that Snyder was stepping down.
One of the first names who was linked as a potential replacement for Snyder was Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant.
Sources: Among initial candidates for Utah’s open head coaching job: Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant, Jazz assistant Alex Jensen, former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts, Celtics assistant Will Hardy and Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 5, 2022
With fairness to Bryant’s legitimate candidacy, the New York associate head coach is not without ties to the organization. Bryant played college basketball for the nearby Utah Utes until 2007.
He was also an assistant for the Jazz from 2014 until 2020, and Mitchell’s rapid development was Bryant’s “top priority” during that span. The two had a “great relationship” during their time together with the team.
Based on Bryant’s name mentioned as an early candidate, it seems that the organization is going to do everything it can to keep Mitchell happy. Until then, I’d assume that the reporting from yesterday’s fallout was just a leverage play for Mitchell to get his preferred coach in the door.
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Terry Stotts among candidates for Utah’s head coaching job
Terry Stotts among candidates for Utah’s head coaching job
Shams Charania: Sources: Among initial candidates for Utah’s open head coaching job: Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant, Jazz assistant Alex Jensen, former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts, Celtics assistant Will Hardy and Raptors assistant Adrian …
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Initial candidates for the Utah Jazz head coaching job: Johnnie Bryant, Alex Jensen, Terry Stotts, Will Hardy, Adrian Griffin – 7:14 PM
Initial candidates for the Utah Jazz head coaching job: Johnnie Bryant, Alex Jensen, Terry Stotts, Will Hardy, Adrian Griffin – 7:14 PM
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Sources: Among initial candidates for Utah’s open head coaching job: Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant, Jazz assistant Alex Jensen, former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts, Celtics assistant Will Hardy and Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin. – 7:10 PM
Sources: Among initial candidates for Utah’s open head coaching job: Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant, Jazz assistant Alex Jensen, former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts, Celtics assistant Will Hardy and Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin. – 7:10 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
With Quin Snyder stepping down, Terry Stotts would be an obvious name to look at. But I think the Jazz take their time and conduct a thorough search. I also think they will be open to considering assistants – 6:09 PM
With Quin Snyder stepping down, Terry Stotts would be an obvious name to look at. But I think the Jazz take their time and conduct a thorough search. I also think they will be open to considering assistants – 6:09 PM
Andy Larsen @andyblarsen
As for candidates for the sixth head coach in team history… my informed speculation might point to Terry Stotts, among others. – 5:39 PM
As for candidates for the sixth head coach in team history… my informed speculation might point to Terry Stotts, among others. – 5:39 PM
More on this storyline
Adrian Wojnarowski: After losing Snyder — the second winningest coach in franchise history — the Jazz plan to commence on a coaching search immediately, sources tell ESPN. -via Twitter @wojespn / June 5, 2022
Adrian Wojnarowski: After eight seasons as coach, Snyder simply decided that it’s time to step away. Conversations had been amicable with team, relationships still strong, but Snyder has decided to leave after building the Jazz into a perennial playoff contender. -via Twitter @wojespn / June 5, 2022
Knicks planning a move at Donovan Mitchell
According to the same person who pointed to Wesley’s criticism of Thibodeau, Wesley has been selling his plan, one that eventually will land Utah’s Donovan Mitchell, a New York native. But this is not schmoozing a high school player and steering him …
According to the same person who pointed to Wesley’s criticism of Thibodeau, Wesley has been selling his plan, one that eventually will land Utah’s Donovan Mitchell, a New York native. But this is not schmoozing a high school player and steering him to a college of choice, and it’s not so simple even if the relationships are in place. Rose served as a former agent for Mitchell and the front office also inserted Johnnie Bryant as associate head coach after Bryant served as an assistant in Utah.
Source: Steve Popper @ Newsday
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
For much of the all-star break, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert have put the ceiling of the Utah Jazz squarely on their shoulders. On Friday night in a win over Dallas, they played perhaps their best collective game of the season. The story, is here – theathletic.com/3151070/2022/0… – 12:47 PM
For much of the all-star break, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert have put the ceiling of the Utah Jazz squarely on their shoulders. On Friday night in a win over Dallas, they played perhaps their best collective game of the season. The story, is here – theathletic.com/3151070/2022/0… – 12:47 PM
Sarah Todd @NBASarah
Donovan Mitchell thought he was going to get drafted by the Charlotte Hornets https://t.co/XwMRIwRGrJ pic.twitter.com/mp2WtNFBbh – 11:30 AM
Donovan Mitchell thought he was going to get drafted by the Charlotte Hornets https://t.co/XwMRIwRGrJ pic.twitter.com/mp2WtNFBbh – 11:30 AM
Eric Walden @tribjazz
Donovan Mitchell, on tonight being a blueprint for he and Rudy Gobert: “It looked really good, it felt really good. When you narrow it down, we did what we were supposed to do.” – 12:16 AM
Donovan Mitchell, on tonight being a blueprint for he and Rudy Gobert: “It looked really good, it felt really good. When you narrow it down, we did what we were supposed to do.” – 12:16 AM
Eric Walden @tribjazz
Donovan Mitchell, on Gobert guarding Doncic: “We just trusted in big fella and we stayed home.” – 12:14 AM
Donovan Mitchell, on Gobert guarding Doncic: “We just trusted in big fella and we stayed home.” – 12:14 AM
Andy Larsen @andyblarsen
Jazz beat Mavs 114-109. That was something else.
Rudy Gobert just played dominating defense down the stretch to shut down Luka Doncic and the Mavs. Held Luka to 23 points on 24 FG!
Donovan Mitchell had a very efficient 33 pts on 11-19 FG. Conley/Bogdanovic also big. – 11:19 PM
Jazz beat Mavs 114-109. That was something else.
Rudy Gobert just played dominating defense down the stretch to shut down Luka Doncic and the Mavs. Held Luka to 23 points on 24 FG!
Donovan Mitchell had a very efficient 33 pts on 11-19 FG. Conley/Bogdanovic also big. – 11:19 PM
Eric Walden @tribjazz
Donovan Mitchell just has some transcendent offensive moments. And Luka Doncic has 5 fouls with 5:42 to play. 102-100 Mavs. – 11:02 PM
Donovan Mitchell just has some transcendent offensive moments. And Luka Doncic has 5 fouls with 5:42 to play. 102-100 Mavs. – 11:02 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Donovan Mitchell with an assist and a triple and the Jazz now are up 88-84, equaling their biggest lead. Mavs call timeout. Mitchell has 26. – 10:42 PM
Donovan Mitchell with an assist and a triple and the Jazz now are up 88-84, equaling their biggest lead. Mavs call timeout. Mitchell has 26. – 10:42 PM
Andy Larsen @andyblarsen
Donovan Mitchell has 26 on 8-13… as good as Luka’s been tonight with the ball in his hands, Donovan’s been much more low usage but deadly effective when striking – 10:42 PM
Donovan Mitchell has 26 on 8-13… as good as Luka’s been tonight with the ball in his hands, Donovan’s been much more low usage but deadly effective when striking – 10:42 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Donovan Mitchell man. Just going off in the third quarter. He’s got 26 and the Jazz are on an 8-0 run and lead 88-84….1:58 remaining in the third – 10:42 PM
Donovan Mitchell man. Just going off in the third quarter. He’s got 26 and the Jazz are on an 8-0 run and lead 88-84….1:58 remaining in the third – 10:42 PM
More on this storyline
“I think I’ve reached a point where you’re happy with yourself, first off,” Mitchell told Yahoo Sports. “… But as far as myself with the franchise, I see the articles, but I really address it with my teammates. I’ve seen it. I’m not too stressed about it. I’m not thinking about it. Because for me, it’s about how we can win. “There’s going to be talk whether I say something, whether I don’t say something because that’s how I’ve always been. I’ve always been someone that’s like, ‘OK, they’re saying stuff. Let’s go ahead and lock in.’ I haven’t really thought too much about it. I’m happy right now and just continuing to find ways to win.” -via Yahoo! Sports / February 15, 2022
Eric Walden: Joe Ingles, on the Donovan Mitchell rumors: “I don’t think Donovan wants to leave. We see him every day, and he loves where he’s at, he loves our team. If they were … around us every day and heard him say he wants to leave, that’s completely different. But they’re not.” -via Twitter @tribjazz / January 28, 2022
Eric Walden: Asked about the Brian Windhorst report about him wanting to play in a bigger market, Donovan Mitchell cuts off the question, notes that in his mind, all the questions he gets when the team is losing are negative, and says it’s simple: “We’re trying to win a championship.” -via Twitter @tribjazz / January 15, 2022
Knicks planning a move at Donovan Mitchell
According to the same person who pointed to Wesley’s criticism of Thibodeau, Wesley has been selling his plan, one that eventually will land Utah’s Donovan Mitchell, a New York native. But this is not schmoozing a high school player and steering him to a college of choice, and it’s not so simple even if the relationships are in place. Rose served as a former agent for Mitchell and the front office also inserted Johnnie Bryant as associate head coach after Bryant served as an assistant in Utah.
