Jeff Van Gundy reportedly could be hired by Western Conference team

Mar 12, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; ESPN commentator Jeff Van Gundy during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Van Gundy has been working as a consultant for the Boston Celtics since his ESPN departure last year, but he could be headed for a more prominent role with a Western Conference team.

The Los Angeles Clippers want to hire Van Gundy as an assistant coach under Tyronn Lue, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein. The belief is that the Clippers have a “strong chance” of working out an agreement with Van Gundy after the NBA Finals end.

Van Gundy has extensive NBA coaching experience. He has 430 career wins from his stints as head coach of the New York Knicks from 1996-2001 and then head coach of the Houston Rockets from 2003-2007. Van Gundy has a postseason record of 44-44 and guided the Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals. He also served as an assistant coach for the Knicks from 1989-1996.

Van Gundy was also mentioned as a head coach candidate for one Eastern Conference team during the season. If his goal is to become a head coach in the NBA again after nearly two decades off, a prominent assistant coach role might be a good stepping stone.

The Clippers went 51-31 this season and lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs, though Kawhi Leonard was injured. They signed Lue to an extension last month.