HoopsHype.com Rumors

Goran Dragic: "We all loved playing for coach Alvin Gentry. He didn't fulfill the club's expectations although all of us players wanted him to stay in charge! He still ended up being fired. Lindsey Hunter became the new head coach, but he didnt have any coaching experience prior." Kosarka.si

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Goran Dragic, Alvin Gentry, Lindsey Hunter 

Dragic feels sorry that players themselves contributed to the departure of Alvin. He doesnt hide the fact that he wanted Dan Majerle as a head coach. Kosarka.si

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Goran Dragic, Alvin Gentry, Lindsey Hunter 

Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough met with interim coach Lindsey Hunter to discuss the franchise's head-coaching job on Wednesday, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. McDonough and Hunter met in Chicago, where McDonough had arrived with the Suns' front-office staff for the NBA draft combine. Yahoo! Sports

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lindsey Hunter, Ryan McDonough 

The list of known candidates for the Pistons' coaching vacancy, currently at four, appears poised to swell to five. Sources say that Knicks assistant coach Darrell Walker will soon get an interview for the position vacated by Lawrence Frank. The Pistons have already interviewed the available Nate McMillan, Suns interim coach Lindsey Hunter, Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer and Rockets assistant J.B. Bickerstaff. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Nate McMillan, Mike Budenholzer, Darrell Walker, Lindsey Hunter 

So far, the Sixers plan to interview Malone and Jazz assistant Jeff Hornacek for the job vacated when Doug Collins stepped down and moved into an advisory role after the season. The organization also has shown interest in Budenholzer, who has interviewed for the Pistons opening, as did former Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan and Suns interim coach Lindsey Hunter. CBSSports.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Mike Budenholzer, Mike Malone, Jeff Hornacek, Lindsey Hunter 

The candidates known to have received interviews are former SuperSonics and Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan, Phoenix Suns interim coach Lindsey Hunter and San San Antonio Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer. The source added that, if Dumars thinks it would be productive, Jackson would participate in some of the candidate interviews this week. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Joe Dumars, Nate McMillan, Mike Budenholzer, Lindsey Hunter 

Vincent Goodwill: Lindsey Hunter interviewed with the Pistons yesterday, McMillan is interviewing today Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Lindsey Hunter 

Suns interim coach and full-time candidate Lindsey Hunter will be interviewed by the Detroit Pistons for their head- coaching position. With the Suns’ coaching decision on hold while they select a new general manager, the Pistons asked for permission to interview Hunter, who has returned to his family home in Detroit. “It’s just an interview, like any other,” said Hunter, who was interviewed for Orlando’s head-coaching job last summer. “They (the Pistons) have a coaching opening and I was fortunate that they’d consider me. Hopefully, I’ll continue to gain interest from other people.” Arizona Republic

Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lindsey Hunter 

Blanks was fired Monday but Suns President Lon Babby, who said Hunter remains a strong candidate for the full-time job. “From talking to him, I do feel that way,” Hunter said of Babby’s statement. “I think he still feels I’m a strong candidate. Although Lance and I were really close, I felt like I was equally respected in the organization by all parts. I was hurt for my friend, but I wasn’t concerned about anything.” Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lon Babby, Lindsey Hunter 

With the Suns’ head coach decision on hold while they select a new general manager, the Pistons asked for permission to interview Hunter, who has returned to his family home in Detroit. “It’s just an interview, like any other,” said Hunter, who was interviewed for Orlando’s head coaching job last summer. “They (the Pistons) have a coaching opening and I was fortunate that they’d consider me. Hopefully, I’ll continue to gain interest from other people.” Arizona Republic

Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lindsey Hunter 

Matt Dery: Source: Lindsey Hunter has asked #Suns for permission to interview for #Pistons HC vacancy. It will likely be granted soon. Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lindsey Hunter 

Hunter remains a viable candidate to be the future full-time head coach despite Blanks’ ouster. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lindsey Hunter 

Hunter is someone the Pistons could possibly consider. He enjoys a great relationship with president of basketball Joe Dumars and is well regarded by the organization. Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer also could be a possibility for the Pistons. Detroit Free Press

Detroit Pistons, Coaching, Lindsey Hunter 

Marc Stein: Another indication Lindsey Hunter on shaky ground: I'm told Suns tried to hire Mike Brown after Alvin Gentry was fired and AGAIN this month Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Mike Brown, Lindsey Hunter 

Ken Berger: Decision on Suns interim coach Lindsey Hunter won't come this week, source says. Search likely to open up once new GM in is in place. Twitter @KBergCBS

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lindsey Hunter 

Marc Stein: Suns announce ouster of GM Lance Blanks. Throws future of coach Lindsey Hunter into immediate doubt given Blanks seen as Hunter's main ally Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lance Blanks, Lindsey Hunter 

Brett Pollakoff: Lindsey Hunter leaves his presser saying "Thanks, maybe I'll see you, maybe I won't." Genuinely not worried about his future either way. Twitter @BrettEP

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lindsey Hunter 

Marc Stein: Sense I get in PHX: Interim coach Lindsey Hunter NOT assured of returning but will not learn fate immediately. Suns will take some time Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lindsey Hunter 

The Suns conducted their exit interviews a week ago, and a person familiar with the process told CBSSports.com that interim coach Lindsey Hunter did not fare well in his player evaluations. The Suns went 12-29 under Hunter -- one game worse than the first half of the season under Alvin Gentry -- and there's a feeling among some players that the team regressed. "Players don't want him back," one league source said. President Lon Babby received a two-year extension earlier this month. GM Lance Blanks, who was instrumental in appointing Hunter as interim coach, has one year left on his contract. CBSSports.com

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lindsey Hunter 

Scola and Dragic were asked whether they would recommend interim head coach Lindsey Hunter returning next season. Both players punted the topic. “That’s a tough question,” Dragic said. “ ... I’m here to play basketball. It’s not my decision to make.” Dragic did say he liked Hunter’s approach to practice. “Alvin (Gentry) was a great coach for the veteran players; he knows when to give them a day off, but for our team we have a young team and we really need to practice hard every day,” Dragic said. “When he (Hunter) took over the team I think we maybe had one or two days off. I think it should be like that.” Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic, Lindsey Hunter