Grizzlies negotiating with Joerger to be coach

Dave Joerger. (AP/Ross D. Franklin)

A person familiar with the situation says Memphis is negotiating with assistant Dave Joerger to become the Grizzlies’ head coach.

The person spoke to The Associated Press Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the final deal hasn’t been reached yet.

This would be Joerger’s first NBA head coaching job. He had been an assistant the past six seasons with the Grizzlies under coach Marc Iavaroni and later Lionel Hollins, who whose contract was not renewed earlier this month despite leading Memphis to a 56-26 record and a Western Conference finals appearance.

The Grizzlies also interviewed George Karl, the NBA coach of the year before being fired by Denver, Chicago Bulls assistant Ed Pinckney and former Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry.

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