Wizards’ ‘patient’ coaching search beginning to take shape

Washington Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said he would be patient when it came to looking for the team’s next coach. And so far, he’s stuck to his word: In the two weeks since Washington parted ways with Scott Brooks, four teams have hired a new coach. Only three others, including the Wizards, have a coaching vacancy. 

Despite the coaching carousel spinning fast, the Wizards are moving at their own pace — a pace that’s starting to make progress.

The Wizards have conducted interviews with at least five known candidates — Philadelphia assistant Sam Cassell, Boston assistant Scott Morrison, Chicago assistant Chris Fleming, Charlotte assistant Ronald Nored and Miami assistant Chris Quinn — and have put in a request to speak with a sixth (Dallas assistant Jamahl Mosley). In reality, it’s likely that Washington’s candidate pool is deeper than the six mentioned, but the leaked information shows the franchise’s coaching search has started to take shape. 

NBCSports Washington reported Wednesday on Fleming’s interview. The Bulls assistant was the head coach of the German national team. 

The Athletic reported that the Wizards interviewed Cassell on Tuesday, and multiple reports have indicated he could be a leading candidate for the job. The hire would be a homecoming of sorts for Cassell — the Baltimore native who began his coaching career with the Wizards in 2009, a year after he retired from the NBA. 

Cassell, now with the 76ers under coach Doc Rivers, spent five seasons with Washington and worked with star Bradley Beal over the guard’s first two seasons. Cassell has worked closely with many of the game’s biggest players as an assistant, whether that’s Chris Paul and Blake Griffin with the Clippers or Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons in Philadelphia. 

Cassell, too, fits the profile of what the Wizards are reportedly looking for. Reports indicate that Washington prefers an up-and-coming assistant rather than go with a retread. 

If that’s the case, the Wizards would be deviating from what they’ve typically done as a franchise. Not including interim coaches, Washington hasn’t had a first-time coach since Leonard Hamilton in 2000-01. Even then, Hamilton, who was fired after one year for going 19-63, served as a head coach in college basketball. 

Speaking to reporters last September, Rivers indicated that it was time for a team to take a chance on Cassell.

“Sam Cassell should be a head coach, period,” Rivers said. “He’s got an incredibly high basketball IQ, and I just hope he gets a shot. When they talk about paying dues, he’s paid every due that is possible and he’s yet to get a job. So, I’m hoping that happens.”

Former Wizards star John Wall credited Cassell for helping fix his shot prior to the 2013-14 season. The previous year, Wall shot 26.7% from beyond the arc — a percentage that jumped up to 35.1 the next season. 

As a former point guard, Cassell spent 15 years in the NBA, winning a championship three times: Twice with the Houston Rockets and once with the Boston Celtics. 

Beyond Cassell, Denver’s Wes Unseld Jr. seems like another logical fit — given his father’s ties to the franchise and the fact Unseld also started his career in Washington. But it is unclear if Unseld has interviewed with Washington yet. 

Nuggets coach Michael Malone advocated for Unseld to get the Wizards’ job when speaking to reporters last week. Malone has praised Unseld for running Denver’s defense, which ranked 11th this past season.

Malone said Unseld “doesn’t nearly get enough credit” and has paid his coaching dues.

“I’ve been reaching out to different people with these job openings, trying to really pump him up because he’s not a self-promoter,” Malone said. “That is one thing that I love about Wes, but I also wish he was more of a self-promoter at times because he’s content to just do his job, do it very well and allow the results to speak for themselves. 

“And unfortunately, you see all these other people being interviewed, having their name plugged and getting jobs, and it seems like Wes is never one of those guys. And I have a feeling that’s going to change this summer.”

According to ESPN, Unseld and Cassell are seen as leading candidates within NBA circles for the Wizards’ job. But the team will continue to do its research. Mosley, for instance, has built a strong reputation in Dallas and was a candidate for that opening until the Mavericks hired Jason Kidd instead. 

Morrison’s candidacy highlights the depths Washington is willing to go to find an under-the-radar option. Despite Morrison’s name recognition, the 38-year-old served as an assistant under Brad Stevens in Boston and also has experience coaching in the G-League, leading the Maine Red Claws for three seasons. He was named D-League (now G-League) Coach of the Year in 2014-15.