The Boston Celtics are facing potential losses of experienced assistant coaches this summer, but they have an interesting contingency plan. According to a report from Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the team is exploring the idea of adding senior consultant Jeff Van Gundy to head coach Joe Mazzulla’s coaching staff for the upcoming season.
Van Gundy, a former NBA head coach with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, transitioned to a broadcasting career with ESPN before joining the Celtics as a senior consultant in October 2023. He has been actively involved in practices, games, and road trips for the team while also working with the Maine Celtics in the G-League.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens praised Van Gundy’s contributions, noting his vast experience and entertaining insights during games. With the departure of assistant coaches like Charles Lee and the possibility of Sam Cassell leaving for head coaching positions, adding Van Gundy to the coaching staff could provide valuable expertise and perspective to Mazzulla and the team.
Mazzulla highlighted Van Gundy’s unbiased perspective on the organization, noting that his scouting and analysis of the team could offer valuable insights. Having someone with over three decades of NBA experience on the coaching staff could be a significant advantage for the Celtics as they prepare for the upcoming season.
The addition of Van Gundy would provide Mazzulla with valuable expertise and perspective as he leads his first season as head coach. His vast experience as an NBA head coach will enable him to bring new ideas and strategies to
