Memphis Grizzlies Talking to George Karl About Becoming Next Head Coach

The Denver Nuggets made a bold move when they fired head coach George Karl after what seemed to be a successful season. But Karl seems to be experiencing the Andy Ried effect as he might not be out of a job very long. According to USA Today’s Sam Amick, the Memphis Grizzlies and George Karl’s camp have begun talking about the possibility of working together next season.

"According to two people with knowledge of the talks, the Memphis Grizzlies spoke with Karl almost immediately after he was let go about the possibility that he would replace Lionel Hollins and the Clippers plan to talk to him soon about their coaching vacancy."

Karl seems to be going through what NFL head coach Andy Reid experienced this offseason. After spending over a decade with the Philadelphia Eagles and establishing himself as a wise football mind, Reid was fired by the Eagles only to be back in a different job no later than week after his dismissal. There’s no guarantee that Karl will be with the Grizzlies in under a week, but the instant interest and contact Amick reports is very similar to what happened to Reid.

However, unlike Reid who was coming off of one of his worst seasons as head coach, the Nuggets ousted Karl after he lead them to the postseason and won the NBA Coach of the Year Award.

As for the guy who currently sits as head coach of the Grizzlies, Lionel Hollins isn’t going to be back so there won’t be any drama there. It’s long been known that Hollins was given permission to talk with other teams and according to Amick’s report, the door may not be as completely closed as we think it is.

"Hollins’ contract expires this month and it appears likely he won’t return, though there is still a dialogue between both sides and a chance he comes back."

But it’s looking like Karl is the guy Memphis wants leading their playoff ready team into the postseason and clearly making it to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history wasn’t enough to save Hollins job. Talks will likely continue into next week but if the coaching dominos continue to fall, it’s likely Karl and the Grizzlies are the next two sides to make that happen.