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Negotiating table Source: Cavs offer Lucas head coaching job
Updated: Friday June 15, 2001 12:34 AM
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Denver Nuggets assistant John Lucas has been offered the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers, an NBA management source told The Associated Press on Thursday. Lucas, who is also reported to be a finalist for Portland's coaching vacancy, has begun contract negotiations with the Cavs, the league source familiar with Cleveland's coaching search said on condition of anonymity. Earlier this week, Lucas met with Cavs owner Gordon Gund and general manager Jim Paxson. Lucas interviewed for the Trail Blazers' job last week. Lucas, 47, has had two previous stints as an NBA head coach, most recently with Philadelphia in 1996. He has a combined 136-171 record with the San Antonio Spurs (1992-94) and 76ers. The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer also reported that Lucas had been offered the Cavs' job in its Thursday editions. The paper said Cavs legal counsel Dick Watson has begun talks with Lonnie Cooper, Lucas' agent. Cooper did not return a message left Thursday by the AP. Cleveland's coaching search is approaching the two-month mark, but there finally seems to be an end in sight. The Cavs fired Randy Wittman on April 19 -- just hours after the final game of his second consecutive dismal season in Cleveland. Wittman, who had no previous NBA head coaching experience when he was hired, went 62-102 in two turbulent seasons. Despite being a former pro player, Wittman had trouble gaining his team's respect, and clashed with Shawn Kemp in his first year and Lamond Murray last season. If they hire Lucas, the Cavs would be getting a coach with strong communication skills and a reputation for working well with troubled players. Lucas played 13 seasons in the league with six teams. He is also a recovering drug addict who has established several drug counseling centers. He has spent three seasons in Denver. The Cavs have remained secretive during their coaching search. The club only confirmed that it had interviewed Dallas assistant Del Harris, who recently removed himself from consideration to stay with the Mavericks. Last week, Bob Hill, who appeared to be the frontrunner to take over in Cleveland, announced he was staying at Fordham. Cavs spokesman Ed Markey said the club had no update on Thursday. Trail Blazers president Bob Whitsitt denied reports he offered the team's coaching job to Lucas or anyone else. A decision isn't expected until next week in Portland.
"Our goal has been to try to get it done by the draft, and
that's still the goal," Whitsitt said. "When we find the guy and
it makes sense for both sides, we'll be happy to announce it to the
world. We want to do that."
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