NBA Rumors: Kevin Ollie wants more than $25 million to coach

By Josh Hill | May 17, 2014

Apr 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Connecticut Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie waves to fans after cutting down the net following the championship game of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament against the Kentucky Wildcats at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

The NBA coaching scene seems to be a bit barren at the moment at only three teams have found head coaches and one of the better remaining options o the market has decided to return to ESPN for at least a year. With Lionel Hollins the best remaining professional option and five teams left to fight over him, eyes are continuing to turn to the college ranks for help.

Kevin Ollie is a hot name at the moment but he’s not a cheep name, as we’re finding out. According to the Akron Beacon-Journal, Ollie wants in excess of $25 million to jump from UConn to the NBA.

Hearing: Any NBA team that wants Kevin Ollie better be willing to pay. Will take more than the $25 million GSW gave Steve Kerr for 5yrs
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) May 16, 2014

You can’t really fault Ollie for trying to cash in, as he doesn’t really want to jump to the NBA and is basically saying if you offer him enough money he will. It may also be a power play to get even more money out of UConn, as Ollie’s desire to coach in the NBA hasn’t really been all that present.

We must also consider Ollie’s options if he were to join the NBA, as Minnesota, Cleveland, Los Angeles and New York are not what yo’d call primo destinations at this point. Still, if someone gets desperate they may throw that kind of cash at him but it’s growing unlikely that Ollie will make the leap to the NBA this season.

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