WALTHAM – Celtics lead assistant coach Ron Adams will travel to Oakland, Calif., early next week to interview with the Golden State Warriors about filling a spot on Steve Kerr’s new coaching staff, a league source told the Globe Friday.
While the source said that no formal offer has yet been made, the respected veteran coach with more than two decades of NBA coaching experience has been granted permission by the Celtics to talk to the Warriors about the potential job opportunity.
Adams is considered one of the most respected assistant coaches in the NBA, and it would come as no surprise if the Warriors do offer him a position.
Advertisement
Yet while Adams is doing his due diligence by talking to the Warriors about a potentially intriguing opportunity, it is by no means a certainty that he would accept any offer at this point.
Among other factors, Adams, who will turn 67 this October, is said to be considering what could be the final move in his long coaching career that has included many stops, including Philadelphia, Oklahoma City and most recently Chicago before he joined the Celtics.
Further, Adams still has two years left on his deal with the Celtics after signing a three-year deal with the team last summer, when he became the biggest name to join Brad Stevens’ staff.
Though Adams is said to also be intrigued by joining a contending team, other factors remain, including the burden of a cross-country move.
However, by potentially joining the Warriors, Adams would be near familiar territory, as he attended Fresno Pacific University.
Adams endeared himself to the Celtics this past season, especially to Stevens, by being a calming voice of influence.
Noted as a popular players’ coach around the league, Adams also spent considerable time working with Celtics guards Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo.
Advertisement
Rondo credited Adams on several occasions for working with him, particularly for helping improve Rondo’s shooting form.