HoopsHype.com Rumors

Coaching sources have maintained for weeks that Golden State assistant Michael Malone will be high on the Clippers' list since he and Paul have a good relationship from their days together in New Orleans, where Malone was an assistant under Monty Williams. Paul holds Malone in very high regard, as does James, his friend and agency-mate at CAA. Speaking of Williams, word is that Paul would love to join forces with him in L.A., but Williams is under contract and the chances of him being made available to discuss a lateral move are remote. CBSSports.com

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Chris Paul, Coaching, Monty Williams, Mike Malone 

The Clippers' search is expected to be wide open, but candidates who are expected to receive consideration are former Cleveland and New Orleans coach Byron Scott, Jeff and Stan Van Gundy, Golden State assistant Michael Malone, former Portland coach Nate McMillan, and former Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry. USA Today Sports

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Byron Scott, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Stan Van Gundy, Jeff Van Gundy, Alvin Gentry, Mike Malone 

Former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Mike Malone and San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer are the top candidates, one executive said. Former Phoenix Suns coach Alvin Gentry and Indiana Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw are being considered as well, another executive said. Los Angeles Times

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Byron Scott, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Alvin Gentry, Mike Budenholzer, Mike Malone 

Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins – who will be a free agent at season's end – is a candidate for the job, league sources said. Another possible target, Stan Van Gundy, has said that he plans to sit out next season. Golden State assistant Mike Malone – who worked with Paul in New Orleans – could be a candidate too, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Stan Van Gundy, Lionel Hollins, Mike Malone 

And what of the head-coaching position? The hot names that are out there have been said over and over and over again - from Mike Malone to Fred Hoiberg to Kelvin Sampson to Nate McMillan to Larry Drew to Michael Curry and everyone in between. Said yet another league executive: "I hear the coaching search isn't at the top of their list right now. I hear they're concentrating on other areas and will address the coaching vacancy after a couple of weeks." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Larry Drew, Kelvin Sampson, Mike Malone, Michael Curry, Fred Hoiberg 

DiLeo began the search for a coach that included names such as assistants Mike Malone (Golden State) and Brian Shaw (Indiana) as the leading candidates. But Hinkie said that although they will remain possibilities, the new chief has some others in mind. "Those names weren't my names, but I won't throw them out out of hand," said Hinkie, who spent eight seasons with the Houston Rockets, the last two as the team's assistant general manager. "That's just not the way I operate. I have a list of guys that I think are interesting. I'd like it to grow and I'd like to solicit the ideas of others. I don't believe that all the ideas come from one person. I believe the opposite, in fact. Philadelphia Inquirer

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Mike Malone, Sam Hinkie 

The Sixers, according to a source, have been mostly reaching out to current assistants such as Golden State's Mike Malone and Indiana's Brian Shaw, although they have yet to set up an interview with either. They are also believed to have shown interest in San Antonio assistant coach Mike Budenholzer. As with Malone and Shaw, the Sixers have yet to set up an interview with the Spurs' assistant. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Mike Budenholzer, Mike Malone 

The 76ers aren’t expected to interview coaching candidates Mike Malone, the Warriors’ top assistant, or Jazz assistant Jeff Hornacek, among others, until next week at the earliest, according to an NBA source. Pacers assistant Brian Shaw and Sixers associate head coach Michael Curry are also believed to be on the Sixers’ radar. phillyburbs.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Mike Malone, Michael Curry, Jeff Hornacek 

With Vinny’s firing, er, fate yet to be announced, the insiders’ frontrunners for the job are, indeed, all people Paul likes: Byron Scott, his coach in New Orleans; Alvin Gentry, the former Sun (and Clipper) coach; and Golden State’s Mike Malone, the hot assistant teams are lining up for. HoopsHype

Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, Byron Scott, Coaching, Alvin Gentry, Mike Malone 

According to a source with knowledge of the discussions, the Sixers are close to setting up an interview with Golden State assistant Mike Malone, another candidate the Sixers regard highly. Like Shaw, though, Malone is still involved in the playoffs. The sixth seed in the Western Conference, Golden State upset third-seeded Denver in the first round, advancing to a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs. Game 1 was Monday night. Philadelphia Inquirer

Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Mike Malone 

It's too early to identify a front-runner in the Sixers' search for a new head coach, but the team has conducted a thorough background check on Golden State assistant Mike Malone, league sources told CBSSports.com. Sixers brass have contacted the Warriors multiple times about Malone, including several conversations with consultant Jerry West, who has been supportive of Malone's efforts to land a head coaching job. The Sixers have gone so far as to consult players who've played under both Malone and San Antonio assistant Mike Budenholzer to get a feel for how the candidates differ, one of the people with knowledge of the situation said. CBSSports.com

Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Mike Budenholzer, Mike Malone 

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 Sixers have identified a group of assistant coaches, all of them 50 years old or younger, as their primary targets. The group includes Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw and Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Malone, both of whom are still coaching in the NBA playoffs. Philadelphia Inquirer

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Mike Malone 

Other possible candidates could be Los Angeles Lakers assistant Steve Clifford and Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Malone, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Mike Malone, Steve Clifford 

After three years under Doug Collins, who seemingly has reached the end of his head coaching career, it appears the Sixers are now looking for someone ready to begin one. According to sources, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Mike Malone is high on the Sixers' list to replace Collins as head coach, as is Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw. CSNPhilly.com

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Mike Malone 

Four other assistants that could get interviews are Miami's David Fizdale, Indiana's Brian Shaw, Golden State's Mike Malone and Philadelphia's Michael Curry. Curry, who was Detroit's head coach for one season, might be in line for the 76ers' job vacated by the recently departed Doug Collins. Shaw was a finalist for the Cavs' job in 2010. Grant isn't expected to talk to any college coaches for the opening. A source said the Cavs aren't expected to drag their feet on finding a new coach. News-Herald

Cleveland Cavaliers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Doug Collins, Mike Malone, Michael Curry, David Fizdale 

Tom Withers: #Warriors coach Mark Jackson said he has not heard if #Cavs have contacted Golden State assistant Mike Malone. "He deserves a chance." Twitter @twithersAP

Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Coaching, Mark Jackson, Mike Malone 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Among GM's, here are strongest names in assistant pool: Kelvin Sampson (Hou), Mike Malone (GS), Steve Clifford (LAL), Quin Snyder (Russia). Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Coaching, Kelvin Sampson, Mike Malone, Quin Snyder, Steve Clifford 

Joe Kotoch: Cavs front office will look at Shaw, Malone, Budenholzer, McMillan, and David Fizdale of Miami. Twitter @Probballdraft

Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Nate McMillan, Mike Malone, David Fizdale, Mike Budenbolzer 

Joe Kotoch: Mike Malone is on the list of candidates but not necessarily the favorite to replace Byron Scott. Long list right now. Very important hire. Twitter @Probballdraft

Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Coaching, Mike Malone