The Memphis Grizzlies made a strong statement when they promoted and hired Tuomas Iisalo as the next head coach of the franchise.

The move signaled that the team is confident Iisalo — who had been hired as an assistant coach at the beginning of the season — is ready to take the reins, and there’s belief that he can get Memphis back to the upper-tier of the Western Conference.

Advertisement

But behind any good coach is a strong supporting staff with quality assistants. When Iisalo became interim coach after Taylor Jenkins was fired in March, the Grizzlies also let go of assistants Noah LaRoche and Patrick St. Andrews. LaRoche played a heavy hand in player development of the new offensive philosophy, while St. Andrews was essentially the defensive coordinator.

Iisalo’s promotion also means that the Grizzlies have to fill at least three assistant coaching slots. That doesn’t even include coaches who finished the season with Memphis but might not be members of the next staff.

Here are six names to monitor as Iisalo fills out his coaching staff.

Former NBA players

Having former players on a coaching staff always adds a certain level of credibility. Iisalo is a former professional player himself.

Advertisement

Names to watch: Tony Allen, Anthony Carter

Anthony Carter has been an assistant coach with the Grizzlies for the past two seasons. The former 13-year NBA vet has been a piece in the team’s player development. GG Jackson, Yuki Kawamura and Vince Williams Jr. are among the players who have pointed out how Carter has helped them refine their shooting mechanics.

Tony Allen has a prominent place in Grizzlies history, and he’s passionate about the organization, so why not? His credibility as a six-time member of the NBA All-Defensive team and his unique ability to deliver messages would be a welcomed voice on the Memphis bench.

Experienced NBA coaches

Retaining interim coaches has been a popular move this year. The San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings also promoted coaches who took over during the season. It’s possible the Denver Nuggets will make that move with their current interim coach, David Adelman, after their season is over.

Advertisement

Because many of the best openings have led to coaches being promoted internally, the NBA’s strong free agent coaching market won’t get many looks. Some of those coaches will just play the waiting game until the next cycle, but others may have the itch to get back on the bench.

Iisalo is a battle-tested coach in European professional basketball, but he hasn’t spent much time in the NBA. Adding a former head coach could help stabilize and strengthen the staff.

Names to watch: Frank Vogel, James Borrego

Frank Vogel might not have much incentive to jump at an assistant’s job because he’s still being paid by the Phoenix Suns (who fired him in May 2024 after one year as head coach), but his credibility as one of the NBA’s best defensive masterminds would be a welcomed sight. With all of the flaws that Jenkins possessed, he routinely put out one of the league’s top defenses for most of his tenure. Adding Vogel would allow Iisalo to focus on optimizing the offense.

Looking for familiarity

Iisalo doesn’t have a long list of NBA coaching connections, but he has strong ties in Europe.

Advertisement

Names to watch: Gordon Herbert, Joonas Iisalo

At 66, Gordon Herbert may not be looking to make a move to the NBA as an assistant, but he’s a notable connection. He is the current FC Bayern Munich and Canadian national team coach. Herbert spent time playing and coaching professionally in Finland, Iisalo’s native country.

Joonas Iisalo has been an associate head coach under big brother Tuomas with Crailsheim Merlins and Telekom Baskets Bonn. Brothers coaching together isn’t a common theme in the NBA, and the Iisalo brothers are a unique case.

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach candidates? Six names to watch