Former NBA Coach Dave Joerger Reportedly in Talks to Lead Paris Basketball

Paris Basketball is reportedly negotiating with former NBA head coach Dave Joerger, according to BasketNews senior reporter Donatas Urbonas. The 52-year-old is said to be exploring options outside the NBA, and the market is widely viewing him as a leading candidate to become Paris’ next head coach.

Paris is currently coached by 28-year-old Julius Thomas, who took over during the season. Recent reports have said Thomas is expected to leave the club this summer and may join an NBA coaching staff. David Kahn, a former senior executive with the Minnesota Timberwolves, oversees basketball operations at Paris.

The club has a recent pattern of turning head coaches into NBA hires. Tiago Splitter led Paris to the EuroCup title and promotion to the EuroLeague before later joining the Memphis Grizzlies and eventually becoming their head coach. His predecessor, Thomas Isalo, also moved on to the NBA after a successful spell in Paris.

Joerger has extensive NBA experience. He was head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2013 to 2016 and of the Sacramento Kings from 2016 to 2019. In recent years he worked as an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers, served as a consultant for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and most recently was part of Doc Rivers’ staff with the Milwaukee Bucks.