Philadelphia 76ers Hiring Villanova Coach Jay Wright?
The Philadelphia 76ers hiring Villanova coach Jay Wright is probably the only way he ends up in the NBA any time soon.
This past week, reports emerged that the New York Knicks were interested in making Wright their next head coach.
Because New York had previously pursued the 58-year-old a few years ago, the report made sense.
Moreover, the additions of Leon Rose and William ‘World Wide Wes’ Wesley to the Knicks’ power structure over the past month also provided a pair of friendly faces Wright could deal with. The trio became well acquainted because of their ties to the Philly area.
All that being said, Wright reportedly has no interest in leaving a great set-up at Villanova for the Knicks.
According to Marc Berman and Justin Tasch of the New York Post, if Wright does leave, the only job he would be interested in is the Sixers.
Despite coming within a game of being in the NBA Finals last season, Philadelphia is struggling mightily this year.
In a somewhat weak Eastern Conference, the team is currently 34-21 through 55 games – good for fifth place.
Teams ranked above them like the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, on paper at least, have significantly less talent.
As such, barring a big turnaround by the 76ers between now and season’s end, it would not be particularly shocking to see head coach Brett Brown get the boot.
If that were to happen, Wright would be a natural candidate to step in and take over.
Barring a situation like that unfolding, though, it is difficult to see a scenario where Wright departs the college game to take over any other NBA squad.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
