Sources: Thunder could add Cheeks to staff
The Oklahoma City Thunder are giving increasing consideration to bringing back former assistant coach Maurice Cheeks to join the staff of new coach Billy Donovan, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Thunder are exploring the prospect of bringing Cheeks back to town to help Donovan with his transition to the NBA, with Cheeks’ strong relationship with Thunder star guard Russell Westbrook only adding to his appeal.
Cheeks was an assistant coach with the Thunder from 2009-13. He also served as a head coach in Portland, Philadelphia and, most recently, Detroit in 2013-14.
The Thunder already have secured the services of recently ousted New Orleans Pelicans coach Monty Williams as they seek to assemble the most experienced staff possible around Donovan, who is making the leap to the NBA after nearly two decades at Florida.
Whether the Thunder ultimately re-hire Cheeks, though, could hinge on the future of former Orlando Magic interim coach James Borrego, who has drawn interest from both Oklahoma City and New Orleans in addition to the standing offer he has from new Magic coach Scott Skiles to stay in Orlando.
Borrego’s decision to either stay with the Magic or move on, sources said, is expected this week. He posted a 10-20 record as Orlando’s interim coach after the dismissal of Jacque Vaughn.
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