CLEVELAND — Tom Izzo has flirted with the NBA previously, but he might finally be ready to commit.
Michigan State’s highly respected coach visited the Cavaliers on Thursday to get a firsthand inspection of a franchise undergoing a major makeover as it prepares to try and re-sign LeBron James.
After flying to Cleveland in one of Cavs owner — and Michigan State alumnus — Dan Gilbert’s jets, Izzo spent several hours visiting with members of the front office and coaching staff. He toured the team’s facilities.
Izzo, who has been courted by pro teams in the past, is believed to be mulling a contract worth up to $6 million a season from the Cavaliers, who fired Mike Brown last month after they lost in the second round of the playoffs to Boston despite having the league’s best regular-season record for the second straight year.
It is not known if Izzo gave the Cavs a decision or a timetable for one.
If Izzo and Cleveland do not come to terms, the team could turn its attention to former New Orleans and New Jersey coach Byron Scott, whose resume would make him attractive to Cleveland. Scott won three NBA titles as a player and has experience in coaching such stars as Jason Kidd and Chris Paul.
The team also has inquired about Milwaukee assistant Kelvin Sampson.
Nets, Johnson reach deal
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Nets reached an agreement in principle with Avery Johnson to become the coach of the NBA’s worst team in 2009-2010.
Nets president Rod Thorn announced the agreement Thursday. The Nets did not disclose financial terms of the three-year agreement.
The current ESPN analyst coached Dallas for three-plus seasons, going 194-70 in the regular season and 23-24 in the playoffs. He guided the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2006 and was fired after a first-round playoff series loss to New Orleans in 2008.
New Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov called the hiring the first step toward turning the team into a winner after a franchise-worst 12-70 record last season.
