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Last year the Celtics lost top assistant Ron Adams to the Golden State Warriors when Steve Kerr wanted an experienced coach on his staff. Now Brad Stevens could be losing another top assistant to another coach's staff.
The New Orleans Pelicans are in advanced negotiations to hire Darren Erman away from the Boston Celtics to serve as a defensive guru under new head coach Alvin Gentry, according to league sources. Sources told ESPN.com that Erman, who was quickly snapped up by the Celtics after his controversial ouster in Golden State late in the 2013-14 season, has been targeted by the Pelicans as an ideal addition to an all-new coaching staff because of his defensive expertise to complement Gentry's offensive creativity.
Gentry seems like a good fit in New Orleans and people around the league seem to think highly of Darren Erman (despite his odd exit from the Warriors). Both will get to work with Anthony Davis during the ascent of his career into one of the top players in the league. That's not a bad gig.
So it stands to reason that the Celtics might be on the lookout for a new assistant coach this summer. Hey, I know a former head coach workaholic that might enjoy taking some "time off" by working on someone's staff...
One source close to Thibs on what he will do if doesn't get a job for this season. "He might watch film for a year straight. No lie."
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) June 2, 2015
Update: Apparently a less high profile coach was already added to the Celtics staff on Monday.
Alex Barlow hired to work under Brad Stevens with Celtics
Alex Barlow is going to the Boston Celtics. Barlow, who chose Butler four years ago because he wanted to learn basketball from Brad Stevens and follow Stevens into the coaching ranks, has followed Stevens into the NBA. Barlow's first day on Stevens' staff was Monday in Boston, where Barlow has started working for the Celtics as a video assistant.