Phil Jasner and Bob Cooney reporting ...
The Sixers have contacted former Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson and have had a discussion with John Langel, the agent and attorney for former Sixers All-Star guard Doug Collins, the Daily News has learned.
We already knew about Collins, but interest in Avery Johnson is news to me. Jasner and Cooney also report that the Sixers have identified a handful of other candidates, including some they passed up last year.
With president/general manager Ed Stefanski directing the search, they have - again, according to a source - identified Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey, Boston Celtics associate coach Tom Thibodeau and San Antonio Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer as potential candidates.
And ...
The Sixers also have talked internally about former coaches Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Fratello, both working as TV analysts, and are considering contacting former Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell.