In theory, I don't have an issue with Cousins or his agents flexing their muscles in order to get the right guy here. Lord knows this front office has had / is having issues finding the right guy.
In this case, however, I'm inclined disagree with how they feel to a certain extent. I'm not even a Karl guy, really, but as Brick mentioned, the options are limited. We don't know which way the agents are pushing. My guess would be that this is a Karl specific issue, meaning they don't want Karl specifically, and are not actually trying to control the coaching hire.
But that's incredibly dangerous to Cousins and this franchise. Again, not because I love Karl, or because I know Karl and Cousins will work (because I don't know that) but the other options scare the crap out of me. Cousins agents would probably be fine with Mark Jackson. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Jackson is number one on Cousins list. They have a relationship. NBA players love him. Cousins was in that meeting that took place about a month ago between Jackson and the front office.
PDA has the details. We don't. But if Cousins is pushing for Jackson (pure speculation on my part) or the other option is VDN for mid season guys, Gentry, McMillan, or Thibs for off season options .. that's a tough call.
Thibs is the only guy I'd be really bummed out about missing, but I can't imagine he'd take this job in the offseason. If Chicago lets him go, there should be 20+ jobs available to him.
So the question is, do you hire Karl even if he's not Cousins guy right now, and pray that relationship works, or do you hire a lesser overall coach? And then consider that the lesser coach probably isn't coming until the offseason, which means you run the risk of losing this year completely and further hurting the organizations relationship with Cousins.
It feels like it's going to be Karl or nobody if the change is going to be made mid season. That alone might make it worth doing even if Cousins isn't completely on board.
It's a tough one.
In this case, however, I'm inclined disagree with how they feel to a certain extent. I'm not even a Karl guy, really, but as Brick mentioned, the options are limited. We don't know which way the agents are pushing. My guess would be that this is a Karl specific issue, meaning they don't want Karl specifically, and are not actually trying to control the coaching hire.
But that's incredibly dangerous to Cousins and this franchise. Again, not because I love Karl, or because I know Karl and Cousins will work (because I don't know that) but the other options scare the crap out of me. Cousins agents would probably be fine with Mark Jackson. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Jackson is number one on Cousins list. They have a relationship. NBA players love him. Cousins was in that meeting that took place about a month ago between Jackson and the front office.
PDA has the details. We don't. But if Cousins is pushing for Jackson (pure speculation on my part) or the other option is VDN for mid season guys, Gentry, McMillan, or Thibs for off season options .. that's a tough call.
Thibs is the only guy I'd be really bummed out about missing, but I can't imagine he'd take this job in the offseason. If Chicago lets him go, there should be 20+ jobs available to him.
So the question is, do you hire Karl even if he's not Cousins guy right now, and pray that relationship works, or do you hire a lesser overall coach? And then consider that the lesser coach probably isn't coming until the offseason, which means you run the risk of losing this year completely and further hurting the organizations relationship with Cousins.
It feels like it's going to be Karl or nobody if the change is going to be made mid season. That alone might make it worth doing even if Cousins isn't completely on board.
It's a tough one.