NBA: Coach Blatt finalizing deal to return to Euroleague—report
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt yells out instructions during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors Friday, Dec. 25, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Following a short-lived stint in the National Basketball Association, David Blatt is reportedly returning to his roots to continue his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in Euroloeague history.
According to an ESPN report, the former Cleveland Cavaliers mentor is on the verge of signing a deal to coach the Turkish club Darussafaka of the internationally acclaimed Turkish Airlines Euroleague. The deal is reportedly worth $1.7 million to $2 million per season.
Priority Sports, who represents Blatt, however, declined to comment on the deal, the report said.
The 57-year-old amassed an 83-40 career win-loss record with the Cavaliers before being abruptly fired in January, despite having the best record in the Eastern Conference.
His stellar international accolades include a Euroleague title and Coach of the Year award in 2014, along with six Israeli Cups and five Israeli League Championships during his wildly successful run with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Blatt also garnered a ton of interest from various NBA teams, who were looking to fill their head coach vacancies, this off season.
He was reportedly interviewed by the Sacramento and Houston brass, while New York seriously considered him for the job before cutting a deal with Jeff Hornacek last week.
Blatt’s potential club is not considered a powerhouse team just yet, but it does boast of former Philadelphia 76ers draft pick Scottie Wilbekin and former Cavs forward Luke Harangody.
Turkish notables Semih Erden and Furkan Aldemir will also suit up for the Istanbul-based squad next season. Khristian Ibarrola
