NBA Rumors: Golden State Warriors Hiring Jeff Hornacek

NBA rumors are swirling around Jeff Hornacek. The former shooting guard has been interviewing with a couple of teams to discuss the possibility of taking over their vacant head coaching positions. Hornacek’s latest interview was with the New York Knicks, where Phil Jackson has been angering fans by taking a long time to name a permanent replacement for Derek Fisher. According to Hoops Rumors, Hornacek might have an even better option if he does not get hired as a head coach because the Golden State Warriors are very much interested in having him replace Luke Walton as the associate head coach to Steve Kerr.

Months after being fired by the Phoenix Suns, Jeff Hornacek is letting the world know that he wants to continue being a head coach in the NBA. He’s doing as many interviews as he possibly can, in hopes that one of the openings will be a fit for him and his family.

If he doesn’t get a head coaching gig in the NBA next season, Jeff Hornacek fortunately still has a job waiting for him. He’ll still collect pretty nice paychecks and be involved in the game of basketball. Hornacek will also be working for a coaching staff that encourages everyone to come up with ideas and chime in. The Golden State Warriors are a terrific opportunity, and it might be the best assistant job in the National Basketball Association.

Steve Kerr and Jeff Hornacek are close. The two of them were teammates on the Phoenix Suns roster back in 1988. That team made it all the way to the Western Conference. Kerr has publicly stated that he modeled much of his coaching style by observing Hornacek. Neither guy likes to scream and yell all the time, believing that players do better when they are in a more enjoyable environment.

Jeff Hornacek would be replacing Luke Walton. The latter was recently hired as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. The team fired Byron Scott after the regular season ended. Walton was on the wish list of several teams in the NBA. Phil Jackson reportedly wanted his former small forward to take over the New York Knicks. Being the associate head coach of the Golden State Warriors helped Walton raise his stock tremendously.

Initially, the belief was that Jarron Collins would be promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach for the Golden State Warriors. He’s viewed very highly within the organization. However, if Steve Kerr can get Jeff Hornacek on board, then he cannot turn down that opportunity. As someone that lacks experience as a coach, Collins might not be against the idea of waiting another year or two before receiving his chance at being an associate head coach.

If he does take the job, Jeff Hornacek might not have a very long stint with the Golden State Warriors. Other NBA teams will come calling next summer. The Warriors are expected to continue their dominant ways. Hornacek will see his stock rising by being a part of that environment. Executives have a tendency to want pieces from championship contenders. There’s a reason why so many people from the San Antonio Spurs system are now in higher positions elsewhere in the National Basketball Association.

A lot of people are rooting for Jeff Hornacek to get another chance at being a head coach in the NBA. He’s a very likable guy who is very passionate about basketball. Steve Kerr is rooting for Hornacek. This is just a matter of Kerr cushioning the blow if Hornacek were not selected for one of the vacant spots.

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