Charlotte Hornets have reportedly asked the San Antonio Spurs for permission to interview Ettore Messina for the vacant head coaching job and the same can be said of EuroCup-winning coach David Blatt, who is flying to New York as one of the candidates for the Knicks role.

Messina, who has extensive NBA coaching experience as an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers and currently with the Spurs is close with current Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak.

The position for the Hornets coaching position became vacant following the departure of Steve Clifford, who was relieved of his duties last week in a drastic shake-up following the team’s elimination from playoff contention.

The 58-year-old Messina is best known for his two spells at CSKA Moscow from 2005-2009 and again 2012-2014 with leading Real Madrid inbetween.

Another recognisable coach at European level could return to the NBA as Darussafaka Istanbul head coach David Blatt will reportedly be flying out to New York to be interviewed for the vacant Knicks head coaching role.

Blatt, who guided Darussafaka to the EuroCup title last week and is only one of two coaches to have won the EuroCup, EuroLeague and Eurobasket titles coached the Cleveland Cavaliers and led them to an NBA Finals in his first season.

Blatt has been open with the fact that he wants to give the NBA one more shot and the New York Knicks could provide him with a solid platform to build on.

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