Here’s an unlikely job reference: Jason Kidd on behalf of Byron Scott.
According to Yahoo Sports, Cavaliers officials have reached out to some of Scott’s former players, including Kidd and Chris Paul, to discuss the coach.
After being spurned by Tom Izzo, the Cavaliers are increasing their pursuit of the former Nets coach to fill their vacancy.
Kidd played for Scott in New Jersey but had a timultuous relationship with the coach and was reportedly a main reason Scott was fired one season after taking the Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals. It was previously reported by the Post that Kid wanted Scott fired the year before he actually was in late January 2004.
“It’s not true, but what I say nobody wants to hear. I had nothing to do with this,” Kidd said after Scott was fired. “I’m a player here, my job is to go out there and win ballgames. I have no control over who is the coach. I’m an employee. I work for the Nets.”
Scott is known to be most interested in the Lakers’ head coaching job if Phil Jackson leaves. Scott, a former Lakers player, lives in Southern California, so a move to Cleveland would be unlikely until he is certain if he can land the Lakers gig.
Paul, another point guard, played for Scott with the Hornets. Kidd now plays for the Mavericks.