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According to ESPN’s Tim Bontempts, Igor Kokoskov might not be out of a job long if all goes well for him. The Memphis Grizzlies reportedly interviewed the Suns’ former head coach three weeks after his dismissal.
Former Suns coach Igor Kokoskov recently interviewed for the vacant Memphis Grizzlies coaching job, sources told ESPN. Kokoskov was fired last month after one season in Phoenix.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 18, 2019
Phoenix finished 19-63 during Kokoskov’s one season, but the full blame can’t be placed on him for it. The front office failed to provide a starting-caliber point guard until February, which is vital to the success of his system as seen with Goran Dragic and Luka Doncic at EuroBasket. Also, he was working with one of the youngest rosters in the league.
However, it’s understandable why new GM James Jones wanted to hire his own voice to lead his vision forward. And it absolutely paid off winning the Monty Williams sweepstakes over the Lakers.
Kokoskov would be going from leading a young core featuring Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton to Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Other coaching candidates who have already interviewed with Memphis are Warriors assistant Jarron Collins, Lithuania’s Zalgiris head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, and Jazz assistant Alex Jensen. If the Grizzlies are looking to go a similar route to Phoenix last year with a European style, Kokoskov and Jasikevicius definitely stand out in an offense spearheaded by Morant.
It seems Kokoskov is ready to jump right back into action following a sudden departure from the Suns 11 months into his tenure. Whether it’s in a head coach or lead assistant role, here’s hoping he lands on his feet soon enough in the Association.