Clippers Probably Won’t Have a Coach for Draft

The Clippers apparently will not hire a new coach in time for the NBA draft for the third time in six years.

Mike Dunleavy, former Laker, Milwaukee and Portland coach, has emerged over the last week as a front-runner for the job, but despite good discussions and a face-to-face meeting with owner Donald Sterling, he’s not expected to be hired before next Thursday’s draft.

“Hope springs eternal,” said Dunleavy’s agent, Warren LeGarie, who also represented former Clipper coach Bill Fitch. “The Clippers have made a fair attempt to get something done, but at this point we’re still a little bit apart.”

LeGarie believes an agreement can be reached despite the Clippers’ history of low coaching salaries and uncertain stance on their seven unrestricted and restricted free agents.

Although Dunleavy has not coached since he was fired by Portland after the 2000-01 season, he has a solid reputation around the NBA. He came close to landing the Houston job before the Rockets chose Jeff Van Gundy, and he heads the list of candidates for the Atlanta job once the Hawks’ sale to David McDavid is completed.

That gives Dunleavy some leverage, and that’s one reason the Clippers appear ready to complete another draft without a coach while they review their dwindling list of candidates.

“Mike has a strong desire to be in L.A.,” LeGarie said about Dunleavy, who coached the Lakers to the 1991 NBA Finals. “He feels that it’s the right type of situation and could really be a good fit.”

Lonnie White

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New Jersey Net assistant coach Eddie Jordan will be the new coach of the Washington Wizards, Associated Press has learned.

A source with the Wizards said Jordan accepted an offer after meeting with owner Abe Pollin.

Jordan is expected to be introduced at a news conference today. He will become the Wizards’ seventh coach in six seasons.

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Steve Patterson returned to the NBA, leaving the NFL to become president of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Patterson, a vice president with the Houston Texans, spent nine years with the Houston Rockets as general manager and general counsel.

He helped build championship teams in 1994 and 1995 before joining the Texans to run Reliant Stadium.

Patterson is the first of two hires to replace Bob Whitsitt, the president and general manager the last nine years, who resigned last month.

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As expected, Kevin O’Neill, a former assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks, was named the new coach of the Toronto Raptors.

From Associated Press