Nets are in no rush to hire a coach.

[JTB]

Many think Avery will surely go to the nets but according to espn it sounds as if they have just started looking for a coach so really Avery is still up for grabs and Avery is the first coach interviewed by the nets, most teams dont sign after just one interview. Plus the nets have other canindates they want to interview, It also states that the nets are more concerned about the players than the coach at this point but they do want to make sure to get the right coach. Anyhow we can indeed get avery if we react quickly this week before someone else cause avery is tired of waiting. hopefully this 3rd interview with avery will get the eal done and he'll be the hawks next head coach but we will have to wait and see as usual........

article:

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5231068

The New Jersey Nets are ready to regroup after losing out on the first pick and go after a coach. That process apparently starts with Avery Johnson.

The former Mavericks coach will meet with Nets president Rod Thorn on Saturday, the Star-Ledger reported on Friday night.

He might be the first one in the door simply because Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau is busy with the playoffs. Sources told the newspaper that Thibodeau wants to speak to the Nets, even though sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that he has been offered a contract by the Hornets. And Thorn reportedly wants Thibodeau to be one of the four to six candidates he speaks to about taking over a team that posted a franchise-low 12 wins and set a league record with 18 straight losses to open the season.

Thorn said Thursday that his only concern is getting the right coach. He has no timetable for hiring someone, which is an indication that he might be willing to wait until after the first few weeks of free agency have passed in July.

The Nets have more than $23 million to spend on the free agent market that might include LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire. They had the best statistical chance to win the first pick in this year's NBA draft but slid to third.

"Hopefully, we'll recognize when the right guy comes through," Thorn said of the coaching candidates. "The process is getting going and we'll see what happens."

An analyst for ESPN, Johnson had a 194-70 record with the Mavericks, guiding them to the NBA Finals in 2006. Dallas owner Mark Cuban still owes him another year on his contract, so it is uncertain whether Johnson wants to coach next season.

Recently fired Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is also on Thorn's short list.

The Nets had three coaches this past season. Lawrence Frank, who coached the team for five full seasons and parts of two others, was fired after New Jersey lost its first 16 games.

Assistant coach Tom Barrise took over for the next two games before then general manager Kiki Vandeweghe become the interim coach for the rest of the season.

New Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov announced last week that Vandeweghe's contract as GM was not being renewed.

Thorn has since assumed the duties of both president and general manager.

[Diesel]

I wouldn't be surprised to see the nets go after Phil Jackson/Lebron James/ Wade or Johnson.

Then they'd have:

Harris/Johnson/James/Draft pick/Lopez...

That's a strong five.

[NJHAWK]

I imagine if they want to talk #'s with Avery after the 3rd interview the Hawks have some leverage. If they offer Avery the job at a decent salary he can either take it or hope the Nets pick him. I would think he goes with the sure thing.