HoopsHype.com Rumors

In response to the NBA's $5,000 flopping fine on Grizzlies guard Tony Allen after Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, Memphis coach Lionel Hollins conceded the league's anti-flopping rules were appropriate and could possibly be enforced more widely. "Flopping isn't a part of the game and it shouldn't be a part of the game," Hollins said. "That's why we have rules in place. There are probably a few more that could be called on a lot of people still in it." ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Tony Allen, Lionel Hollins 

Sam Amick: In case anyone wondered, I'm told the Brooklyn Nets have not asked for permission to speak with Memphis coach Lionel Hollins. Twitter @sam_amick

Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Lionel Hollins, who is coaching the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals, also is on the Nets' list. Hollins' contract expires after this season, and while the Grizzlies have a great chance to retain him, they are not likely to win a bidding war with Brooklyn's deep-pocketed owner, Mikhail Prokhorov. ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Mikhail Prokhorov, Lionel Hollins 

Lionel Hollins, who is coaching the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals, also is on the Nets' list. Hollins' contract expires after this season, and while the Grizzlies have a great chance to retain him, they are not likely to win a bidding war with Brooklyn's deep-pocketed owner, Mikhail Prokhorov. ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Lionel Hollins has been more successful than any Grizzlies coach and will be a free agent after June 30. He has the Grizzlies in the Western Conference finals for the first time and has won more games with this team than any other coach. He probably wouldn't have a problem getting another job, but is very happy with the one he has. And he's not worrying about what the future holds. ''I have a job,'' Hollins said. ''I'm happy with where we are and excited about what we're doing. That's my only concern. Everything else is irrelevant.'' FOXSports.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Center Marc Gasol said Thursday that Hollins' focus on the task at hand definitely helps the Grizzlies concentrate only on the Spurs right now. ''We know that there's nothing we can do about it right now,'' Gasol said of Hollins' future in Memphis. ''Eventually, that's going to come, and hopefully, it's going to be solved quickly after we do what we're supposed to do.'' FOXSports.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Marc Gasol, Lionel Hollins 

Memphis Coach Lionel Hollins, whose team is playing the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals, also is someone the Clippers are interested in. But Hollins, who is in the final year of his contract, might be too pricey for the Clippers, and the Grizzlies haven't given any team permission to speak with Hollins, an NBA executive said. Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Why has it taken so long for the Bucks to find their man? If you believe some insightful NBA officials, it’s simply because the Bucks are playing the waiting game. They are biding their time until the Memphis Grizzlies’ season ends and they can talk to Grizzlies free-agent in-waiting coach Lionel Hollins. Hollins, you may recall, had a cup of coffee in Milwaukee as one of Skiles’ assistant coaches before bolting to Memphis where, in the last three seasons as head coach, his teams have won 46, 41 and 56 games. Hollins led the Grizzlies into the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs — without a single superstar. Racine Journal-Times

Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

But some NBA insiders claim Hollins is still very interested in the Bucks’ job. They note Hollins enjoyed his brief stint in Milwaukee, forged a good rapport with the Bucks’ management and is even intrigued by a few of the team’s players. The defensive-minded Hollins realizes the Bucks have one of the best, young interior defenders in Larry Sanders, who received strong support for both Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year honors. Racine Journal-Times

Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

The Grizzlies say they want to re-sign Hollins, but with widespread interest, they won’t get a bargain. Hollins just happens to be the Clippers’ new favorite option, should they turn out to need a coach. He’s reportedly on Brooklyn’s list. (In what may be pure coincidence, Sterling sat courtside at Game 1 of the Grizzlies-Spurs series in San Antonio.) Lakers Nation

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Some agents, like Warren LeGarie, who reps Dunleavy—and Hollins–now insist on arbitration clauses in any contract with the Clips. Lakers Nation

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Mike Dunleavy, Warren LeGarie, Lionel Hollins, Agents 

Mark Heisler: Source says Lionel Hollins is No. 1 on #Clippers list w/Byron Scott, Alvin Gentry. Team officials just relieved Sterling gave in, axed VDN. Twitter @MarkHeisler

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Byron Scott, Coaching, Lionel Hollins, Alvin Gentry 

Mark Heisler: Source says Lionel Hollins is No. 1 on #Clippers list w/Byron Scott, Alvin Gentry. Team officials just relieved Sterling gave in, axed VDN. Twitter @MarkHeisler

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Byron Scott, Coaching, Donald Sterling, Lionel Hollins, Alvin Gentry 

Bill Reiter: Source says Hollins, Phil & Scott are indeed candidates but it's incredibly early in process and that timing of VNG ouster was a surprise. Twitter @foxsportsreiter

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Byron Scott, Phil Jackson, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

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 

Ronald Tillery: CA source says no NBA team has asked Griz for permission to talk to Lionel Hollins about coaching vacancy. Hollins has contract until July 1 Twitter @CAGrizBlog

Memphis Grizzlies, Lionel Hollins 

One reason that the Nets' coaching search isn't moving too quickly: Lionel Hollins and Brian Shaw, two of Brooklyn's foremost targets, are still at work in the playoffs. Sources say that the Grizzlies remain determined to sign Hollins to a new deal after the playoffs. Contract discussions were mutually tabled by both sides until the postseason plays out, but that does expose Memphis to a high-dollar offer from Brooklyn in July that gets Hollins' attention. ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, Coaching, Brian Shaw, Lionel Hollins 

Marc Stein: Clips, I'm told, have NOT asked to interview Spurs' in-demand Mike Budenholzer. Suggests Sterling was thus scouting free agent-to-be Hollins Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Donald Sterling, Lionel Hollins, Mike Budenholzer 

Marc Stein: Hottest theory circulating here in San Antonio is that Donald Sterling was at Game 1 sitting across from Grizz bench to scout Lionel Hollins Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Donald Sterling, Lionel Hollins 

Marc Stein: Could Sterling have been in San Antonio on other business, on a Sunday, two rounds after Clips eliminated? If so, that's a first for him Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Coaching, Donald Sterling, Lionel Hollins