Report: Cavs get permission to interview T-Wolves' Nori, Nuggets' Adelman
The Cleveland Cavaliers received permission to interview Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori and Denver Nuggets assistant David Adelman for the franchise's vacant head coaching position, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Nori and Adelman already interviewed for the Los Angeles Lakers' head coaching role, Wojnarowski adds.
Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch brought Nori to the team in 2021. The Ohio native had spent time working with the Pistons, Nuggets, Kings, and Raptors.
After Finch collided with Mike Conley during the Timberwolves' Round 1 matchup against the Phoenix Suns and suffered a torn patellar tendon, Nori stepped up and coached Minnesota. Finch was able to return to the bench for the second-round series against the Denver Nuggets, but Nori was the one standing on the sideline, giving instructions, and calling timeouts.
Meanwhile, Adelman has been an NBA assistant since 2011 when he worked with the Timberwolves under his father, legendary NBA head coach Rick Adelman. He's been part of Mike Malone's coaching staff in Denver since 2017.
Cleveland president of basketball operations Koby Altman said the Cavaliers are looking for a "different voice" and "new approach." The team fired J.B. Bickerstaff shortly after the Boston Celtics ousted the Cavs in the second round of the playoffs.
The Cavaliers won at least 44 games the past three seasons under Bickerstaff but failed to make it past Round 2 of the postseason.