After reportedly flirting with Bucks assistant and former college coach Kelvin Sampson, the Cleveland Cavaliers have entered another echelon of coaching excellence. Tom Izzo, arguably one of the top five coaches in college basketball—and head coach of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert’s alma mater, Michigan State—has been offered the Cavs’ head coaching job, according to a report out of Ohio:
Report: Cavaliers Eyeing Michigan State’s Tom Izzo?
The Cavaliers want to make a big splash with their next coaching hire. According to a league source, they are centering their efforts on bringing in Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.
In fact, they’ve already made him an offer to be their coach, the source said. It’s going to take a lot of money to convince Izzo to leave the confines of the college ranks. [...] The Cavs’ recruiting efforts have been done behind the scenes. The source said Cavs owner Dan Gilbert wants Izzo desperately.
Of course, there have been the requisite denials since this news broke last night. As Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reports via Twitter:
Despite published report, two sources close to MIchigan State's Tom Izzo say the Cavs still haven't made him an offer. "Not yet," one said. Izzo has turned down chance to talk with a few NBA teams in last two years. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has targeted him as top choice. In talking to Izzo people, sense is Cavs franchise is too unsettled for him to leave Mich State now. NBA intrigues him, but he's cautious.
One thing's for sure: Tom Izzo knows how badly Cavs owner wants him and is inclined to gather more information on chances of keeping LBJ.
So who’s telling the truth here? Well, from an outsider’s perspective, Woj’s sources sound more legitimate, but even in denying the report of an offer, Woj sure makes it sound like there’s some mutual interest... And you have to wonder, where does LeBron James fit in all this? Would he want to play for a college coach that’s not named John Calipari? Stay tuned.
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