Former PG Gary Payton is interested in coaching in the NBA
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If you’re a former point guard, the NBA surely has a coaching job for you. It’s become the new wave. Jason Kidd with the Brooklyn Nets last season. Steve Kerr and Derek Fisher with the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks this season. And apparently Hall of Fame point guard Gary Payton sees what direction the NBA is headed in as the former Defensive Player of the Year confirmed his interest in coaching in the NBA.
“This stuff, it’s just rumors right now. I went to Summer League and I was with Jason [Kidd] for a long period of time. We had a couple of conversations. I’m getting interested now,” said Payton in response to an impromptu question during a Fox Sports One segment. “A lot of guys knew I wasn’t interesting, now I’m getting interested. I see these young guys out there that need some help and some guidance from a guy like me.”
In the last few weeks, Payton has been connected to the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in regards to an assistant head coaching position thanks to his connections with head coaches Jason Kidd and Byron Scott. But Payton says he’s comfortable with what he’s currently doing which is an in-house analyst on Fox Sports One.
” I see these young guys out there that need some help and some guidance from a guy like me.” – Gary Payton on coaching
“It’s there… but I like what I’m doing right now. I like Fox Sports One right now and it’s just talk right now. I gotta put my mind to it. I gotta think about making sacrifices and doing other things, but if I get into basketball I don’t know what can happen.”
As mentioned above, the NBA frequently hires point guard to lead teams. The idea that guards see and know the game better makes them prime candidate for coaching positions. If Payton isn’t hired this season, it won’t be a surprise when he becomes the next hot coaching newbie on the market next summer.
“I could be a head coach within four or five years. You don’t know, but right now it’s just nothing but rumors.”