Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 long-term candidates to replace head coach John Beilein

5. Jay Wright

Call this one wishful thinking. Recent rumors about Jay Wright leaving Villanova for the New York Knicks were immediately and convincingly shot down, and if he’s not leaving college for New York, he sure as hell isn’t doing it for Cleveland. The Cavaliers are just as big a dumpster fire as the Knicks right now … only without any of the tradition, prestige or luster of living in New York.

Considering another college coach just left $12 million on the table to get out of The Land, expecting another to show interest is probably a fool’s errand. But since we’re talking about quality candidates, Wright would undoubtedly be one of the best options out there, and unlike Beilein, both his team’s playing style and his coaching style are suited for the NBA.

Wright’s Wildcats boast a modern, NBA-caliber offense, and there’s no question he’s one of the sport’s best coaches period, given that he’s won two NCAA championships in the past four years. The Cavs need someone who can make the most of this jumbled roster, especially when it comes to making that Collin Sexton–Darius Garland backcourt dangerous enough on offense to overshadow their notable flaws on defense.

Unfortunately, as great a fit as Wright seems on paper, he’s not leaving Villanova, and he’s definitely not doing so for the least desirable coaching job in the NBA, right after watching how it worked out for fellow NCAA coaching legend.