NBA Rumors: Star-Studded Team Linked to Just-Fired Taylor Jenkins

It was a shocking move this past weekend as the Memphis Grizzlies fired long-time head coach Taylor Jenkins just a couple of weeks before the start of the NBA playoffs. But according to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, Jenkins is already being linked to the star-studded San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs have been without their legendary head coach Gregg Popovich for most of the season after he suffered a stroke just five games into the 2024-25 campaign.

There's no official word on what the future holds for the 76-year-old, but after the stress of 28 years coaching the Spurs, Amico reports that "people around the league have told Hoops Wire that Popovich is likely to focus on his health moving forward. At least, many in the NBA are hoping he can be talked into it."

Others have suggested that if Popovich does get out of coaching (and perhaps into the front office full-time), Jenkins could be the man for the Spurs’ job.

Jenkins knows all about coaching big-time superstars, as he's had to deal with Ja Morant in Memphis, as the two arrived there together in 2019.

Mitch Johnson has been the interim coach for the Spurs this season, and while the team won't make it to the postseason dance, he is well thought of in the organization, so he could be in the running to take the full-time job if Pop does not return to the bench.

Taylor Jenkins linked to potential Spurs coaching job

Jenkins, however, would be a dynamic addition to any team, after doing a fine job with the Grizzlies over the last six seasons. He has a career 250-216 mark as a head coach.

The Spurs will be a team to be reckoned with next season, with the returns from health problems of phenom Victor Wembanyama and star point guard De'Aaron Fox, who was acquired at the trade deadline, but had season-ending surgery on his hand in mid-March.

And depending on Pop's final decision, "By the time June or July rolls around," writes Amico, "Jenkins as a candidate in San Antonio could be a thing".