In the midst of current Miami Heat associate head coach Chris Quinn being a finalist for the Phoenix Suns head coaching job, the Heat are already exploring options for a potential replacement.
According to Eurohoops.net, the Miami Heat have expressed interest in Sergio Scariolo, the long-time head coach of Spain's national team, to join the team as an assistant coach for the upcoming season. This follows a recent report by Alex Molina that Scariolo was "traveling to the United States to interview with an NBA franchise."
Heat could bring Sergio Scariolo back to the NBA
Scariolo, 64, is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished coaches in European Basketball over the past two decades.
He previously served as an assistant under Nick Nurse in Toronto from 2018 to 2021, where he helped the team win its first NBA championship in 2019. He was an integral part of the Raptors' innovative box-and-one defense schemes to contain Steph Curry during the NBA finals. His willingness to utilize zone defenses aligns well with Erik Spoelstra's defensive philosophy, as the Heat consistently lead the league in zone usage.
During his tenure as head coach of Spain's national team in the Olympics, Scariolo led the country to a silver medal in 2012 and a bronze in 2016. While coaching Spain, he notably built the offense around the Gasol brothers, utilizing their versatility and high basketball IQ. It's a strategy similar to how the Miami Heat currently run their offense around Bam Adebayo.
Scariolo could find more ways to revolve a Miami Heat offense that has ranked in the bottom half of the league for the past three seasons. His offensive schemes could help Bam Adebayo become more assertive as a scorer while also allowing Tyler Herro to play more off the ball. This shift would reduce Herro's responsibilities as a primary ball handler, helping him conserve energy and focus on putting the ball in the basket.
As Miami explores potential additions to its coaching staff, the likelihood of Chris Quinn landing the Suns' head coaching job continues to grow. If the Heat ultimately need to replace their associate head coach, few candidates offer the experience that Sergio Scariolo brings. With a proven track record in both international play and the NBA, Scariolo would be a high-level addition to Erik Spoelstra's bench.