The Cavaliers are in the homestretch of their coaching search. At least, they hope so.
UPDATED: 8:28 p.m.
Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw, right, is beginning what is expected to be a two-day interview with the Cavaliers for their vacant coaching position.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers are in the homestretch of their coaching search. Or, at least they hope so.
After being granted permission last week and then setting up the plans over the weekend, the Cavs welcomed Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw to town for what is expected to be a two-day interview on Monday. According to a source, Shaw is planned to be the final candidate to interview in person.
Sources also indicate the Cavs want to have a coach hired by Thursday, when LeBron James will officially enter free agency.
A source close to James has confirmed he plans to meet with as many as six teams in the first two days of free agency after officially passing on his $17.1 million option for next season. While James has met with the Cavs several times since the end of the regular season, including a sit down with owner Dan Gilbert less than two weeks ago, the team would likely want the new coach to meet with James.
In sticking with his plan on staying out of the coaching search, James does not plan on talking to Shaw -- just as he's not talked to candidates Tom Izzo and Byron Scott.
The Cavs have held in-person interviews with a handful of candidates during their month-long search -- including with Izzo, who turned the job down, and Scott. The fact that the Cavs have continued their search illustrates the care in which they are taking in the process.
Because Shaw is the last person in doesn't necessarily mean he's emerged as the top candidate. There is no doubt the team is intrigued by Shaw and have already done a fair amount of background research before setting up his visit.
But with no previous head coaching experience at any level, Shaw's interview with General Manager Chris Grant and owner Dan Gilbert will likely hold extra importance. Shaw has been an assistant with the Lakers for five seasons after a 14-year playing career with the Lakers, Celtics, Heat, Magic, Warriors and 76ers.
Especially interesting to the Cavs' front office will likely be Shaw's views on how the complex triangle offense, which Shaw learned playing for and then coaching with Phil Jackson over the last decade, might work for the Cavs and James. Or how it might not.
However, there's another Jackson element in play. The Lakers' legend is considering retirement and may not give the team an answer until the end of the week. If Jackson steps down, Shaw will be an immediate candidate to take over. So will Scott, who the Cavs have spoken with in depth on at least three occasions.
Balancing the potential of coaching the two-time defending champs or taking over the Cavs may become a tough choice for Scott or Shaw. It could mean the Cavs still won't be able to move at their desired timetable.
In an interview with Yahoo! Sports on Monday, Scott said he's interested in the Cavs job and not waiting on Jackson or James.
"I'm not sitting and waiting on Phil Jackson," Scott told Yahoo. "That ain't me. I'm not waiting on anybody. I would coach [in Cleveland] without LeBron. But they got a good shot at getting him back."