Timberwolves Beloved Assistant Micah Nori Granted Permission to Interview for Cavs Jobs

Looking back at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ season, it’s hard to come to any other conclusion outside of wildly successful. Their head coach Chris Finch was the leader of that, but his assistant Micah Nori played a prominent role as well.

When the NBA Playoffs rolled around, he rose to an even more prominent role on the sidelines, after Chris Finch tore his patellar tendon and had to take a literal back seat behind the bench, to Nori, the players and the rest of the coaching staff.

Cleveland Cavaliers granted permission to interview Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori for vacant head coaching position

While Finch was still the lead man in charge, especially as the postseason moved forward and he was able to ditch the crutches, lead time out huddles and yell at officials, it was Nori’s face that was often seen first on television.

Now, Nori appears to be a wanted man across the league, as less successful teams move to replace their recently fired coaches. The Los Angeles Lakers have already inquired about Nori’s availability. According to Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN), the Cleveland Cavaliers have now joined the fray.

The Cleveland Cavaliers received permission to interview Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori for franchise’s head coaching job, sources tell ESPN. Nori has also talked with the Lakers for vacancy there. Nori is an Ohio native. pic.twitter.com/pqmD4u802c

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2024

The Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t led by LeBron James anymore, unlike the Lakers. Does that mean there is more room for Nori than whatever is or is not available in LA? Only time will tell.

In Cleveland, Nori would be taking over for the jettisoned J.B. Bickerstaff, who has a plethora of his own connections to the Wolves. After leading the Cavaliers to a fourth place finish in the Eastern Conference, and a 48-34 record, Cavs president Koby Altman decided the team needed to move in a different direction.

Related: Los Angeles Lakers Eyeing Timberwolves’ Top Assistant Micah Nori

As Woj notes, Nori is an Ohio native. As one of the hottest coaches on the market, he could be a slam dunk hire for Cleveland, or any team looking to get over the hump.

Can Cleveland Entice Nori Enough

Of course the decision to hire a head coach is a two-way street. While there are only so many openings, Micah Nori would certainly want to go to a situation that has a path towards success.

With the Cavaliers, Nori would be taking over a roster that includes stars Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. Other pieces are needed though, and competing with a team like the Boston Celtics would take a sizable leap forward.

Nori has had the privilege of working with Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota. There is some uncertainty as to the entirety of that trio being back next season as the Timberwolves wade into the luxury tax.

Related: Will Micah Nori Get an NBA Head Coaching Job?

Out of all the vacant coaching positions across the NBA, there is no doubt the Cavs’ situation is among the best, from a roster building standpoint. Even if Nori isn’t hired imminently, we can probably expect him to be connected to any job that opens between now and the start of the 2024-25 season.