Jason Kidd and John Lucas said to be interested in Sixers coaching job
Another interested candidate to replace Brett Brown, according to sources: Houston Rockets player development coach John Lucas.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Candidates are starting to line up for the 76ers’ head coaching job.
Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd wants the job, according to multiple league sources. Other sources have said that Houston Rockets player development coach John Lucas is highly interested in a second go-round as the Sixers head coach.
Will they get an interview? Time will tell.
The Sixers fired Brett Brown on Monday after seven seasons. The organization is looking for a veteran coach to push All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Lucas is 66 years old but is respected around the league. He also has a great relationship with players.
Lucas compiled a 173-258 record over six seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Sixers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. His most successful stint came with the Spurs. He led them to a 55-27 record during the 1993-94 season.
Kidd has a 183-190 record in a little less than five NBA seasons as a head coach. He compiled a 44-38 record in his lone season with the Brooklyn Nets in 2013-14. Kidd was named Eastern Conference coach of the month twice that season.
Brooklyn traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks for two second-round picks in June 2014.
He compiled a 139-152 record in 3½ seasons in Milwaukee. The Bucks fired him in January 2018.
As a player, Kidd was a 10-time All-Star point guard. The 47-year-old, who played 19 NBA seasons, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Lucas, also a point guard, played 14 seasons in the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers assistant Ty Lue is the leading candidate for the Sixers job. There were also discussions about Mike Brown, another possible candidate.
Villanova coach Jay Wright’s name has come up for the Sixers job. So have the names of Sixers assistant coach Ime Udoka and Dave Joerger, the former Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings coach.