HoopsHype.com Rumors

Mark Berman: At least 3 teams requested permission to interview Rockets ass't Kelvin Sampson. Latest according to sources: 76ers along w/ Bucks & Bobcats Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

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 

To the surprise of some rival executives, the Sixers' coaching search is being spearheaded by GM Tony DiLeo, whose contract expires this summer. With team president Rod Thorn moving into a consulting role and DiLeo's contract expiring, rival execs expect the Sixers to engage in a search for a new head of basketball operations, as well. In fact, that process has already begun through back-channel conversations, one person contacted on the Sixers' behalf told CBSSports.com. CBSSports.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Tony DiLeo 

According to a source, the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Bobcats also have requested permission to interview Sampson. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Charlotte Bobcats, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Q: Finally, Masai Ujiri’s contract is up this summer. What can you tell us about keeping him in Denver? Nuggets president Josh Kroenke: “Masai and I, we pretty much figured that out between each other. We have a relationship where we openly discuss (everything). Last summer, Philadelphia made a run at him. I said, ‘Hey, buddy, if you want to be here, let’s talk about it when the time is right.’ That was really about it. For the fans, they should know Masai wants to be here and I think he enjoys working for me. I think we make a pretty good team, along with (vice president of basketball operations) Pete D’Alessandro, (scouting coordinator) Dan Tolzman and the rest of our scouting staff. I wouldn’t anticipate any issues there.” NBA.com

Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Masai Ujiri, Josh Kroenke 

The names will continue to be floated out there as to whom the 76ers are going to interview for their vacant coaching position, many of the names listed here in the Daily News a couple of weeks ago. But the main priority right now is to solidify the front office, whether it is keeping who is there (such as general manager Tony DiLeo) or cleaning house. As majority owner Josh Harris said the day after the end of the season, "Everything is on the table." And right now the main dish on the table is the front office, with the coaching decision a side dish. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Josh Harris, Tony DiLeo 

Gery Woelfel: Milwaukee isn't only team keenly interested in Kelvin Sampson. Charlotte, Detroit and Philadelphia also have him on their radar. Twitter @GeryWoelfel

Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

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 

According to team sources, some of the players became frustrated with Collins' old school ways or, as one Sixer said, his "tendency to be overbearing." "Clearly we want the right cultural fit for our organization," is how majority owner Joshua Harris described what he called a "wide-ranging" search for a replacement. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Doug Collins, Owners, Joshua Harris 

The Sixers, Detroit and Charlotte are the only teams with coaching vacancies. However, the Atlanta Hawks will likely replace Larry Drew, who is interested in the Sixers job, as soon as the Hawks are eliminated from the playoffs. There could also be openings in Brooklyn, Memphis and with the Los Angeles Clippers. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Larry Drew, Atlatna Hawks 

Sloan said he hasn’t heard anything from Milwaukee, Charlotte, Philadelphia or Detroit, teams that officially have jobs open. “I’ve not aware of any (interest from those teams),’’ Sloan said. “I haven’t said hello to anybody.’’ Sulia

Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Jerry Sloan 

The Philadelphia 76ers have received permission to interview Golden State Warriors assistant Mike Malone and Utah Jazz assistant Jeff Hornacek for the franchise's head-coaching vacancy, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, Coaching, Jeff Hornacek, Mike Maloe 

The Sixers are also strongly considering Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw, and closely monitoring the contract talks of Lionel Hollins and the Memphis Grizzlies. Hollins could be a free agent at season's end. Yahoo! Sports

Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Lionel Hollins 

The Sixers are targeting young assistants in the initial stages of their coaching search, which is expected to take time to unfold because several candidates they've identified -- including Michael Malone (Warriors), Brian Shaw (Pacers) and David Fizdale (Heat) -- are still in the playoffs. Also, with team president Rod Thorn moving into a consulting role and GM Tony DiLeo's contract up, the Sixers have begun doing their homework on potential GM candidates, sources said. CBSSports.com

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Michael Malone, David Fizdale 

Sampson is well-regarded within the Bucks organization and the Bucks will aggressively pursue him along with Van Gundy, sources said. Sampson spent two seasons as an assistant with former Bucks coach Scott Skiles, and he knows the organization well. Sampson has drawn significant interest as a head-coaching candidate this spring. Charlotte will interview him soon, and Philadelphia and Detroit also could reach out to meet with him, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Charlotte Bobcats, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Andrew Bynum having fun flamenco dancing in what appears to be a Ferrari jacket at Cafe de Chinitas in Madrid, Spain, where he's spending some time on an early offseason vacation, which is the kind of thing you can do when your team doesn't have to worry about the playoffs. (Bynum also took in a nice meal at Basque restaurant Mesón Txistu and had a nice time at a Real Madrid match.) Yahoo! Sports

Philadelphia 76ers, Andrew Bynum 

The Sixers, according to a source, have contacted the Pacers' associate head coach Brian Shaw about their vacant head-coaching position. Because the Pacers are in the playoffs, Shaw will interview for the position when the time is appropriate. CSNPhilly.com

Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw 

Shaw is ready to coach his own team, but according to a source, he is cautious, looking for the right job. Yes, he has previously interviewed for nine head-coaching positions, but year after year, teams go through thorough searches looking for their “right” guy when, too often, they have a candidate in mind but do the extensive search so as not to appear hasty. (Cleveland was the exception this spring when they targeted Brown and re-signed him in short order.) CSNPhilly.com

Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Brian Shaw 

If the Atlanta Hawks part ways with coach Larry Drew when the Hawks are bumped from the NBA playoffs, Drew would be interested in coaching the 76ers, a source with knowledge of the situation said on Saturday. Philadelphia Inquirer

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Larry Drew