The Boston Celtics are facing a potential loss of at least one, and possibly two, experienced assistant coaches this summer. However, they have come up with an innovative solution to this issue. According to a report from Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the team is considering adding senior consultant Jeff Van Gundy to head coach Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff for the upcoming season.
Van Gundy has over three decades of NBA experience having previously spent over a decade as an NBA head coach with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets before transitioning to a broadcasting career with ESPN. He joined the Celtics as a senior consultant of basketball operations in October 2023 and has been heavily involved with the team ever since. He attends practices, home games, road trips, and also spends time with the Maine Celtics of the G-League.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens praised Van Gundy’s contributions, highlighting his extensive experience and knowledge of the game. The addition of Van Gundy to the coaching staff would provide Mazzulla with a valuable resource that could help him improve his performance and lead the team to success in the upcoming season.
With assistant coach Charles Lee departing for Charlotte Hornets and reports suggesting assistant Sam Cassell interviewing for head coaching positions elsewhere, Van Gundy’s non-biased perspective and ability to analyze the team’s performance from an external viewpoint could prove significant for the Celtics moving forward. Mazzulla emphasized that having someone with a fresh perspective on their operations was crucial for their success in future seasons.
Overall, Van Gundy’s addition could prove beneficial for both Mazzulla and the Celtics as they look towards rebuilding their coaching staff ahead of next year’s season.
