The Los Angeles Lakers don’t appear to be the only team eyeing Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn.
According to ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, roughly a week after firing head coach J.B. Bickerstaff after five seasons, the Cleveland Cavaliers have received permission to interview Quinn–the Heat’s top assistant–in addition to New York Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant.
ESPN Sources: The Cleveland Cavaliers have received permission to interview two more head coaching candidates: Knicks associate HC Johnnie Bryant and the Heat’s top assistant Chris Quinn. https://t.co/eRguUX003m
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 31, 2024
Quinn, 40, is also Miami’s longest-tenured assistant under head coach Erik Spoelstra, having been one of its primary player developmental staffers for the last decade. He joined Miami ahead of the 2014-15 season.
This report comes days after NBA reporter Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press indicated that the Heat were trying to ink extensions with both Quinn and assistant Malik Allen after doing so with Caron Butler earlier this week.
Reynolds cited that Spoelstra “made clear to his staff that he wants the group to remain together.”
Quinn previously interviewed for the Milwaukee Bucks job (that went to Adrian Griffin) and the Utah Jazz (Will Hardy) openings. In addition to those two interviews, he was dubbed a candidate for the recent Charlotte Hornets opening (Charles Lee), Detroit Pistons opening (Monty Williams) and Indiana Pacers opening (Nate Bjorkgren) a half-decade ago.
Even though he hasn’t landed an official head coaching gig yet, it’s safe to say that Quinn is one of the most respected assistants in the sport. He’s been under Spoelstra’s guidance for 10 years and has been very integral to its player development.
Quinn’s also one of the many Heat assistants who were former Heat players–in addition to Butler, Allen and Wayne Ellington.
15-year NBA veteran and current ESPN analyst and broadcaster JJ Redick is still considered the favorite for the Lakers’ gig. Heck, there are rumors that he’s already trying to put together a staff, even though the Lakers are publicly claiming that they’re “nowhere close” to finishing their search, bringing in candidates for second interviews.
That could mean Quinn’s chances to land the Lakers gig are zip-tied, which now leaves Cleveland as the possible lone player to pluck Miami’s longest-tenured assistant away.
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This is a developing news story. Stay tuned for updates.
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If Riley can’t pull a rabbit out of his hat this summer or by the trade deadline, I think he may decide to retire at end of 2024-2025 season (he turns 80 in March 2025) and turn the reigns over to Spo (if he wants it). If Spo moves up, Quinn is probably the #1 contender to get Spo’s job. If he leaves now to coach elsewhere, someone else will get the Miami job. Tough call.
chris quinn really highly thought of.
Chris Quinn for Mitchell straight up. Who says no?
Jkjk