So much for keeping everything to the vest. After weeks of being quiet on their search for head coach, names are starting to surface surrounding the Washington Wizards. Already it’s known that Boston Celtics assistant Scott Morrison interviewed. According to Fred Katz of the Athletic, former Wizards assistant Sam Cassell interviewed with the team Tuesday.
Washington has already reportedly asked for permission to interview Dallas Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosely. However, on Wednesday we learned the Wizards have interviewed three additional NBA assistants.
First, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington reported Washington interviewed Chicago Bulls assistant Chris Fleming.
Fleming, 51, played overseas in Germany after a collegiate career at the University of Richmond. He became a coach with the German second division team QTSV in 1998. He worked his way on becoming the head coach of the German National Team from 2014-2017.
As a coach, he has won four German Cups and German League titles. As well as, three German Supercup titles.
He’s also had NBA stops as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets and Brooklyn Nets before joining the Bulls in 2019.
Shortly after news of Fleming interviewing, Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported the Wizards also interviewed Charlotte Hornerts Ronald Nored and Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn.
Quinn, 37, was a star at Notre Dame before a seven-year pro career mostly with the Heat. He’s been an assistant coach with Miami since 2014 under Erik Spoelstra. Quinn also had a one-year stint as an assistant of Northwestern University in 2013.
Nored, 31, made his way through the coaching ranks. After coaching in high school the former Butler player got his first professional gig as an assistant with the Celtics and their G League affiliate the Maine Red Claws from 2013-2015.
Nored also was the head coach of the Long Island Nets from 2016-2018 before joining the Hornets staff in 2018. He’s a lead candidate to join Rick Carlisle’s staff with the Indiana Pacers.
Surely, Nored, Fleming and Quinn don’t move the needle with Wizards fans as a Cassell. Washington didn’t land big names like Jason Kidd (Dallas), Chauncey Billups (Portland), Ime Udoka (Boston) and Carlisle. Their search has seemingly been geared to a lesser tier of names.
What’s also apparent is Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard has focused on first-time NBA head coaches. That would be a different direction than recent past for the Wizards, who have turned to re-hashed head coach coaches in their last five hires.
