:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14551531/kidd_layup_1-6-06_terrence_vaccaro.0.jpg)
Stefan Bondy and Peter Vecsey both report that Jason Kidd and Billy King met today to discuss the Nets coaching vacancy, lending more credence to reports that Kidd is a real candidate for the job vacated by P.J. Carlesimo in April.
The meeting appears to be the first meeting King has had with any candidate. Phil Jackson rebuffed the Nets overtures a month ago. On Wednesday, King will meet with Brian Shaw, the Pacers associate head coach. The two are seen as the leading candidates for the job.
Nets meeting with Jason Kidd took place today, according to a source
— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) June 10, 2013
This just in: Billy King interviewed Jason Kidd earlier today regarding Nets' coaching opening. Brian Shaw Wednesday.
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) June 10, 2013
Ever since Kidd's interest in the job was reported over the weekend, there's been increasing speculation that the interest is mutual. Kidd retired from the Knicks only last week, leaving two years --and $6 million in salary-- on the table.
Rod Thorn, who brought Kidd to the Nets, told Michael Kay that he believed, "this thing has legs of it’s own so we’ll see what happens."
Meanwhile, Marc Stein added to the speculation by tweeting that Lawrence Frank could join Kidd in Brooklyn.
Element of Jason Kidd's pitch to Nets, I'm told, is Lawrence Frank joining him on bench, giving Nets assistant w/HC experience they demand
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 10, 2013
Nets taking Kidd seriously as head-coaching candidate, sources say, but one must is Kidd being surrounded by lots of experience on bench
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 10, 2013
Rod Boone tweets that a Frank hiring would aid in Kidd's --and the Nets'-- transition.
Sources confirm @espnsteinline report of Jason Kidd pitching Lawrence Frank as one of his top assistants to Nets. Frank would aid transition
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) June 10, 2013
Similarly, Adrian Wojnarowski reports that while the Nets are giving Kidd "serious consideration," they want to know about his staff.
Jason Kidd's candidacy w/ Nets is getting serious consideration, sources tell Y! Work's ongoing to assemble a staff to make this possible.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 10, 2013
As for timing, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, a former Nets beat writer, believes the team could have a new coach by week's end.
Nets may hire coach by end of week RT @mazzespn: Kidd met with #Nets today and Brian Shaw will meet Wed, source confirms to @notoriousohm
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) June 10, 2013