Head Coach Decision
The biggest key for the Memphis Grizzlies — assuming they truly want to retain Jonas Valanciunas as their starting center — is to hire a head coach that JV would be comfortable with, according to Lithuanian basketball reporter Donatas Urbonas.
Valanciunas on his player option: "Firstly, I want to see who'll coach Memphis. It will have a big impact on my decision, because I want to know, how we gonna look in 82 games. I don't want to be a tourist. I want to win."
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) May 15, 2019
Thus far, though it is nearly two months since the Grizzlies created a vacancy at the head coach position, there are seven candidates in the mix. They all have little to no experience as an NBA head coach, but they do have consistent backgrounds in the player development department.
Still, would a veteran such as Jonas want to play for a rookie head coach? He dealt with that this past season with the Toronto Raptors and the Memphis Grizzlies. Valanciunas is probably wanting to see more stability, especially when it comes to a head coach’s résumé.
The most interesting head coach candidate linked to the Grizzlies’ job opening is none other than Sarunas Jasikevicius. “Saras” is an ex-NBA player that has been turning heads with Zalgiris of the international circuit. Though Jasikevicius has not coached in the NBA and is generally new to his coaching career in the first place, this is one guy Jonas Valanciunas would probably want to play for.
Valanciunas on Jasikevicius NBA head coaching job potential: "He would need to make adjustments, but everything is possible for him. He is still growing coaching and he knows how to adapt and what to change to become NBA head coach. I think there would be no problem with it."
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) May 15, 2019
It is the Lithuanian connection between Jonas and Sarunas. This alone has the potential to encourage Jonas’ hand to say “yes” to the Grizzlies for the 2019-20 NBA season and beyond. Valanciunas’ recommendation of “Saras” should smooth over any concerns Memphis’ Front Office may have about the head coach’s transition to the NBA. Plus, it could land them a nightly double-double threat at the center position for at least another full season.