Memphis Grizzlies Continue Down Risky Path in Coaching Search Process

It appears as if the Memphis Grizzlies will continue with the hope of plucking a diamond from the rough in their pursuit of a new NBA head coach.

Following an abrupt ending to J.B. Bickerstaff‘s tenure as the full-time head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies less than one month ago, the organization has remained rather quiet in searching for their next man in charge. However, that has changed upon the arrival of the month of May.

On Tuesday, The Athletic‘s Tony Jones informed the NBA world of Alex Jensen taking part in the interview process for the head coaching position with the Memphis Grizzlies.

So who is Alex Jensen? For starters, Utah Jazz fans will recognize the name as he has been an assistant coach for the Jazz since the 2013-14 NBA season. One of his biggest claims to fame is earning the 2013 Coach of the Year award for the NBA’s developmental league.

It is no real surprise to see the Memphis Grizzlies express interest in a candidate who prides himself on player development. It has been rare to see the Grizzlies invest in their youth, but this is not a drill. It is really happening. Memphis is looking to develop their youth as part of their long-term plan.

One day later, the Memphis Grizzlies have targeted another candidate to interview for their vacant head coach position. ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski was the first to report the organization’s interest in Sarunas Jasikevicius, who has former NBA playing experience — mostly as a member of the 2005-06 Indiana Pacers.

Jasikevicius is most known for his Olympic performances for his home country of Lithuania, but he is a highly-decorated individual from the international playing circuit. As his hoops career has transitioned into a coaching role, he earned quick success along with additional fame.

Simply put, the guy is a winner. Plus, from the Grizzlies’ perspective, “Saras” is a gritty, tough-nosed player that matches Memphis’ culture and mentality. If he is the eventual hire, the decision will ensure that the tradition will live on as the Grizzlies enter their rebuilding phase.

It is good to see the Memphis Grizzlies demonstrate a full understanding of the direction they want to go with their head coaching search as far as basics are concerned. They want to continue their strong defensive identity, which was perhaps the only statistical bright spot for them in the 2018-19 NBA season. Plus, they acknowledge that their youthful players must be given opportunities to grow and develop in order to remain respectable in the Western Conference.

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Regardless, the Grizzlies cannot give up the notion to hit the lottery on a candidate with zero or little NBA head coaching experience. Memphis quickly auditioned David Fizdale and J.B. Bickerstaff as full-time NBA head coaches, but did not like what they saw in a very limited amount of time. Their next hire will be the third head coach hired in the past three years, and their fourth in six years.

The Memphis Grizzlies have endured incredible instability at the helm of their ship. It would not be shocking to hear that some of the veteran NBA coaches on the open market are turning this job down because they know they will enter the position with a very short leash on their collar. On the other hand, it is easy to believe the Grizzlies are adamant about auditioning candidates who would be entering their first season as a full-time head coach in the NBA.

This is an incredibly risky tactic by the Memphis Grizzlies. Now is the time to demonstrate some sort of stability, especially after demoting the General Manager and canning the head coach in unexpected fashion just one month ago. The fans and the city deserve to see stability within the organization, but most importantly, the players need stability.

Memphis really needs to land a head coach that will remain in the position for the long-term no matter the early results — good or bad. Handing minutes and roles of increasing responsibility is only a portion of player development. Once you pull the “teachers” from the process, you are essentially ending that project abruptly. As the Grizzlies made major changes within the past month, they lost some key pieces to their player development puzzle.

Whether the Memphis Grizzlies’ Front Office selects Alex Jensen, Sarunas Jasikevicius, or someone else, one thing is certain. They must live with the risk and battle through any struggles because it is time to accept the hire. If it will be a first-year coach, the organization must invest in developing the coach as well as the players underneath the coach’s staff.