Paris Basketball has emerged as a serious contender for experienced NBA head coach Dave Joerger, with discussions underway as the French club evaluates its next leadership move following a volatile coaching cycle in the EuroLeague.
Olgun Uluc reported on Friday, June 12, that Joerger is in talks with Paris Basketball after previously being a top target for Melbourne United in Australia’s NBL. The veteran coach, currently on the Milwaukee Bucks’ staff, has shifted focus toward the vacant Paris job as Melbourne continues its global search for a replacement, with former Paris coach Francesco Tabellini also drawing interest from the NBL side.
The potential hire would mark a significant statement for Paris, which finished 16th in the 2025–26 EuroLeague standings at 15–23, despite ranking 16th in scoring at 90.1 points per game and allowing 91.0 points per game. The club has struggled to convert offensive volume into consistent wins, finishing with a -34 point differential across 38 games.
Joerger’s candidacy brings a résumé shaped by both NBA and international success. He previously served as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2013 to 2016 and the Sacramento Kings from 2016 to 2019, after rising through the NBA Development League system where he won a D-League title in 2007. He has also spent recent seasons as an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks, contributing to Milwaukee’s 2024 NBA Cup championship run.
Paris’ roster features a balanced but uneven production profile. Nadir Hifi led the team with 18.9 points per game on 41.5% shooting, including 35.1% from three, while Justin Robinson added 14.6 points and 4.5 assists per contest. Jared Rhoden and Lamar Stevens provided secondary scoring at 11.1 and 9.3 points per game respectively, but efficiency and half-court creation remained inconsistent across the rotation.
Defensive interior stability was one of the team’s few consistent strengths, with Mouhamed Faye averaging 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game on 65.2% shooting, while Allan Dokossi added 5.5 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game. Despite that, Paris still ranked near the bottom of the EuroLeague in overall net rating, reflecting late-game execution issues and perimeter breakdowns.
The coaching search also intersects with broader international movement in the market. Paris president David Kahn, formerly an executive with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers, has prioritized NBA-experienced leadership as the club attempts to stabilize its EuroLeague trajectory.
Interim head coach Julius Thomas, who became the youngest coach in EuroLeague history at 27, has drawn interest from NBA teams after gaining attention for his developmental work and modern offensive schemes.
