Blatt interviewed by Cavaliers, set to make decision on NBA destination

Blatt said last week that he is not leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv for a bigger contract or better place, but “to follow my dream.”

By ALLON SINAI
David Blatt (photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
David Blatt
(photo credit: ADI AVISHAI)
David Blatt is set to make a decision regarding his NBA destination in the coming days after being interviewed for the head coaching position at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Blatt announced last week that he is leaving Maccabi Tel Aviv for the NBA, but insisted that he has yet to decide which team he will join and in what capacity.
The 55-year-old, who guided Maccabi to the Euroleague title, BSL championship and State Cup in the past season, has received an offer to serve as the top assistant coach under new Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
However, a head coaching position with the Cavs will likely trump Golden State’s offer, with Blatt meeting with the Cleveland management for the first time on Wednesday after only previously talking with them over the phone.
Cleveland is believed to have narrowed its known field for the head coaching role to three candidates, including Los Angeles Clippers assistant coaches Alvin Gentry and Tyronn Lue.
Blatt said last week that he is not leaving Maccabi for a bigger contract or for a better place, but that he is leaving “to follow my dream.”
Blatt has also been linked with assistant coaching positions with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks, but Golden State seems to be his most keen suitor, with Kerr meeting Blatt for some 45 minutes at Los Angeles International Airport during a six-hour layoff while he was awaiting his connection flight to Israel when he was in the US two weeks ago following the sudden death of his father.
“The truth is that I don’t know yet where I am going,” Blatt said last week. “There are several options, good options, and now that I have told Maccabi that I’m leaving I will intensify my talks with NBA teams. I just want to realize a dream and hold a significant role with an NBA team.”


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