Washington Wizards Coaching Rumors: Rex Kalamian Could Join Scott Brooks’ Staff
By Ben Mehic
The Washington Wizards and Scott Brooks are interested in hiring Rex Kalamian to their coaching staff. Kalamian is currently with the Toronto Raptors
The Washington Wizards are going to undergo many changes this summer and it started with the firing of head coach Randy Wittman.
Once the team decided Wittman was no longer the guy for the job, Ernie Grunfeld zeroed in on former Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks and quickly secured him as the Wizards’ new leading man.
With only five players under contract, the Wizards are going to have a complete roster overhaul once the free agency period begins. Grunfeld will focus on adding players to the team that can fit the modern style of play – meaning, those who can defend multiple positions and space the floor for John Wall.
After 10 or so players are signed, the pressure will be on Brooks to find the team’s identity.
Brooks, though, obviously isn’t going to be alone.
The team expects to retain Kevin Durant‘s former high school coach, David Adkins, as an assistant coach/player developer. The rest of the staff will likely look to find new gigs – including head assistant Don Newman, who served as the team’s head coach when Wittman missed games.
Brooks hasn’t hired any of his assistants yet, but it’s likely that he’ll look to add coaches who he’s familiar with from his days in Oklahoma City. Maurice Cheeks, who is also a former head coach in the NBA, could end up being on the bench along side Brooks in the nation’s capital.
Brooks is also particularly high on Rex Kalamian, who’s currently one of the top assistant coaches with the Toronto Raptors, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
"Sources say the Rockets’ interest in Kalamian is sparked at least in part by the veteran assistant’s strong relationship with Houston star James Harden — as well as Rockets fantasy free-agent target Kevin Durant — from their time working together in Oklahoma City.Kalamian, sources say, is also coveted by new Washington Wizards coach Scotty Brooks, also in a potential associate head-coach role, after Kalamian worked so closely under Brooks with the Thunder before he joined Dwane Casey’s Raptors staff coming into this season. "
Kalamian is currently being considered for the head coaching position with the Houston Rockets. However, that spot could also be filled by Mike D’Antoni or Stephen Silas, who appear to be the two top candidates for the job.
Since Kalamian has already earned enough respect to be considered for a head coaching job, it will be interesting to see if he decides to join the Washington Wizards. He has a strong connection with Brooks and left Oklahoma City after the coach was fired. In just a single season he’s helped the Raptors reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in their team’s history.
Next: Wizards Draft and Free Agency Preview
Washington had a solid coaching staff last year, but lacked a game-changing head coach. That could change soon. Brooks has gained a reputation as one of the top coaches in the NBA and I expect his assistants to have that same pedigree.