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Ten Potential Candidates to Fill Hawks Assistant Coach Vacancy

James Borrego

Spoiler:

James Borrego has been on an NBA coaching staff every season since 2003. The 44-year-old has served two stints under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio and spent the last four seasons as the head coach in Charlotte. Borrego could not get the Hornets into playoffs, but he finished his final season with a record of 43-39. I fully expect a team to bring the veteran coach on as an assistant this off-season.

Head coaching record: 148-183

David Fizdale

Spoiler:

David Fizdale served as an assistant coach in Atlanta from 2004-2008. From there, he spent eight years learning under Erik Spoelstra in Miami. Unfortunately, his time as a head coach in Memphis and New York didn't pan out. Fizdale spent last season as an assistant coach under Frank Vogel, but when the Lakers front office cleaned house, Fizadale was let go. Atlanta's front office should seriously consider bringing Fizdale back.

Head coaching record: 71-134

Larry Drew

Spoiler:

Let's party like it's 2011. Larry Drew was the Hawks head coach from 2010-2013. Every season, the team finished with a record above .500 and a playoff appearance. Following his time in Atlanta, Drew served as head coach in Milwaukee and Cleveland. He has served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers since 2020.

Head coaching record: 162-226

Brian Shaw

Spoiler:

Despite being a three-time NBA Champion, Brian Shaw has only received one shot at a head coaching gig. That was with the Denver Nuggets from 2013-2015, and it did not go well. However, the former combo guard has a strong resume as an assistant coach. Shaw could easily fill the role of the associate head coach and, if things go awry, an even more important role. Shaw currently works on Ty Lue's coaching staff in Los Angeles.

Head coaching record: 56-85

Chris Kirchner wrote:New Lakers coach Darvin Ham hired Jent over the weekend, leaving the Hawks with a vacancy on Nate McMillan’s bench. Jent was McMillan’s lead assistant and the main offensive assistant on the coaching staff. Jent was well-liked by the players and was instrumental in helping Collins turn into as good a shooter as he is now.

Jent was the best coach out of the assistants currently employed by the Hawks, so it’s certainly a notable loss.

“So I really got excited when I had the opportunity to interview him and talk with him about his thoughts, his ideas, his philosophy on the defensive end of the floor. Basically, we were aligned with each other on most of the things that we’d like for our teams to do on the floor.”