Shaw and Byron Scott, who is the Cavs' frontrunner to replace Mike Brown, are expected to be the top candidates to replace Lakers coach Phil Jackson if he retires.
View full sizeLos Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw, right, has been given permission to interview with the Cavaliers about their coaching vacancy.The Cavs have received permission to interview Lakers assistant and are expected to do so next week. Shaw and Byron Scott, who is the Cavs' frontrunner to replace Mike Brown and had a face-to-face interview with the team last week, are expected to be the top candidates to replace Jackson if he retires.
Shaw is well-liked by Lakers players and is believed to be Jackson's choice to take over if he decides to retire. Scott is believed to be liked as a potential coach by Lakers primary owner Jerry Buss and minority owner Magic Johnson.
According to a source, however, Scott has not had formal contact with the Lakers about the job as Jackson mulls his options. The Cavs have not formally offered the job to Scott but perhaps are considering doing so before the Lakers have an opening.
The Cavs like Scott for his experience, as he has taken part in seven NBA Finals as a player and a coach. But Shaw also fits their criteria after being schooled in the Lakers' strong defensive system.
The Cavs hope to have a coach before the start of free agency Thursday. Jackson may stretch out his decision on retiring past that date. That may give the Cavs a chance to make an offer to their preferred candidate before the Lakers get to that stage.
The Cavs are also believed to have interviewed Milwaukee Bucks' assistant coach Kelvin Sampson. But at the moment it appears Scott and Shaw may be at the top of the team's list. So there's a chance one of them could be offered the job by Thursday.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bwindhorst@plaind.com, 216-999-5166