The Indiana Pacers are beginning their next round of head coaching interviews.
Following the news of Doc Rivers agreeing to terms with the 76ers, the Indiana Pacers have begun interviewing their top candidates further. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pacers are meeting with a number of candidates over the next few weeks.
Pacers are meeting candidates this week and next, a roster of interviews that so far has included former Grizzlies/Kings coach Dave Joerger and Pelicans assistant Chris Finch, sources tell ESPN. Joerger is a strong contender in process. Chauncey Billups gets a sit-down soon too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 2, 2020
Dave Joerger has been a consistent name up to this point thanks to his coaching history with the Kings and Grizzlies. Despite having much success with either franchise, Joerger is widely regarded as a great coach and basketball mind.
Of the candidates mentioned by Woj, Chris Finch is the one that stands out as odd. Finch has spent his entire NBA coaching career as an assistant, beginning in 2011 with the Rockets. He also spent time with the Nuggets and has been with the Pelicans since 2017. However, Finch does have head coaching experience in Europe and the NBA D-League.
Chauncey Billups is the only candidate to be announced for the next round of interviews as of right now, and he is a quality option if the Pacers decide to go after a fresh face. Billups has no coaching experience but has been linked to several front office positions since retiring from his playing career.
More names will emerge throughout the next week or so, so stay tuned. The Pacers have a lot on the line as they seek their new head coach, including questions surrounding the futures of Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner. Maybe the right head coach will convince all parties involved to stay intact for the 2021 NBA season.