New Minnesota president of basketball operations David Kahn has gone on record in saying he won’t look for a replacement for fired coach Kevin McHale until after the draft, but multiple sources have told Pro Basketball News that Mark Jackson has emerged as the leading candidate for the position and will wind up with his first coaching gig.

Jackson, 44, has worked as a lead analysts on broadcasts for ESPN/ABC since 2007 and was linked to the New York Knicks opening filled by Mike D’Antoni last offseason. He’s made no secret of his desire to coach in the NBA, telling reporters in L.A. just last week that it’s “been a dream of mine, like anyone who’s ever played the point guard position and has been the extension of the coach on the floor. I’ve been tempted to run a show my entire life.”

Kahn, who has more than a decade’s experience with the Indiana Pacers and owned the NBDL’s Reno Big Horns for a spell, has already made one splash in firing McHale and vows to make another at next week’s draft, where Minnesota will have three first-rounders.

 

Their story cites multiple unidentified sources, including one that says Kahn already has decided on Jackson.
Kahn said at his Wednesday press conference that he had no list of candidates — “Not lined up on the back of a napkin, nothing,” he said –  and wouldn’t begin compiling one or start his search until the day after the June 25 draft, a week from tonight.

The PBN story also says Kahn was with the Pacers for more than decade (more like six years, including two as a consultant) and said Kahn traded away Jackson and then brought him back with the Pacers (he may have worked on the deals, but Donnie Walsh called the shots when Kahn was there).