Jeff Van Gundy could be headed back to the bench with the Celtics.
The former Knicks head coach and longtime TV analyst is being considered for an assistant role on Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff for next season, according to veteran NBA reporter Marc Stein on his Substack account.
The 62-year-old Van Gundy has been serving as a senior consultant to Boston team president Brad Stevens since he was let go by ESPN last year.
Jeff Van Gundy (middle) with Mark Jackson (left) and Mike Breen during 2010 NBA Finals. APThe Celtics, who will open the 2024 NBA Finals at home Thursday against the Mavericks, are losing at least one assistant coach from Mazzulla’s staff.
Charles Lee was named the new head coach of the Hornets last month.
“Jeff’s been great,” Stevens said of Van Gundy before the playoffs began. “I’ve known Jeff a long time and gotten a chance to spend a lot of time with him over the years.
“It is fun watching a game with him when he doesn’t have to speak in 15-second sound bites. He’s pretty entertaining.”
Van Gundy served as the Knicks’ head coach from 1995 to 2001 — leading them to the Finals in 1999 — and in the same role with the Rockets from 2003-07 before making the transition to his broadcasting career.
ESPN let go of Van Gundy and fellow longtime analyst Mark Jackson last summer.
Jeff Van Gundy could have bigger Celtics role this season. UPIThe Post reported at the time that one of the reasons Van Gundy was let go was because ESPN felt he could leave the network for a coaching position.
The move backfired when replacement Doc Rivers bolted the network in January to accept the Bucks’ head coaching job.
JJ Redick, who replaced Rivers alongside Doris Burke and Mike Breen, is considered the front-runner for the Lakers’ coaching vacancy.
