Lakers reportedly want Tomjanovich
With Mike Krzyzewski out of the picture, it appears Rudy Tomjanovich is in line to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak wouldn’t comment on a Houston television station’s report that Tomjanovich has been offered the job, but did say the team has “identified the guy we want to hire.”
“There is not a deal to announce,” Kupchak said Tuesday. “We don’t have a coach at this time. We hope to have a coach in a short period of time. If he becomes coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, he would be a wonderful selection.”
Tomjanovich, who led the Houston Rockets to NBA titles in 1994 and 1995, was offered the job Monday night, according to unidentified NBA sources.
Tomjanovich, 55, stepped down after 12 years as coach of the Rockets in May 2003 — two months after learning he had bladder cancer. He underwent treatment and served as a scout for the Rockets this season — his 34th year with the organization.
Krzyzewski announced Monday he would remain at Duke rather than accept an offer from the Lakers, reported to be for five years and $40 million.
Kupchak identified four men he has spoken with about the job — Tomjanovich, Krzyzewski, Miami Heat president Pat Riley and North Carolina coach Roy Williams.
Krzyzewski, Riley and Williams have said they aren’t interested. That leaves Tomjanovich.
“Do the math,” Kupchak said.
Nuggets GM meets with Bryant
Kobe Bryant has met with Denver general manager Kiki Vandeweghe, opening up the possibility that the Lakers free agent could be moving his basketball home to the state where he will stand trial for sexual assault next month.
A Nuggets source told the Associated Press that Bryant had a meeting with the Nuggets GM on Monday.
Denver, which was some $23 million under the salary cap before re-signing center Marcus Camby last week, is expected to target top free agents before next season.
Woodson accepts offer from Hawks
Mike Woodson agreed to coach the Atlanta Hawks after working as the top assistant last year for the NBA champion Detroit Pistons.
“They have offered the job and hopefully everything will be wrapped up sometime today and I’ll be on a plane Wednesday night or Thursday morning for Atlanta,” Woodson told the Associated Press by phone from his Houston home.
Woodson said he was still completing negotiations with the Hawks but considered the final details minor.
He said he agreed to a four-year deal to replace Terry Stotts, who was fired May 6. The Hawks went 28-54 and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year.
Around the league
Guard Eddie Gill was placed on waivers by the New Jersey Nets… The New Orleans Hornets signed top draft pick J.R. Smith to a three-year contract… . Michael Cooper, who coached the Los Angeles Sparks to two WNBA championships, is leaving to become an assistant coach with the NBA’s Denver Nuggets.