Report: Kenny Atkinson nearing deal to be Warriors’ lead assistant coach

No Penny or Kenny.

Kenny Atkinson, seemingly one of the most ideal candidates for the Orlando Magic head coaching job, and the betting favorite according to multiple gambling sites, is reportedly out of the running.

Although he at least publicly never really seemed in the running, with Atkinson never officially linked to the Magic. Whether there was any communication between the two doesn’t matter much now, with Atkinson set to leave his position as Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach to become the lead assistant for the Golden State Warriors, according to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

“Atkinson has a strong reputation in the coaching community,” per Charania and Slater. “His name popped up as a candidate for a few of the head-coach openings this summer, though nothing materialized, clearing the way for the Warriors to hire him away from Los Angeles.”

When the brief speculation of Penny Hardaway becoming a “serious candidate” died down, Atkinson seemed the logical favorite given his history with the Brooklyn Nets’ rebuild. But nothing developed after the Clippers were eliminated in the Western Conference Finals. With multiple head coaching vacancies in the NBA, Atkinson’s decision to remain an assistant and stay on the West Coast is an interesting one.

Other reported candidates for the Magic include Spurs assistant Becky Hammon, Mavs assistant Jamahl Mosley, and Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld Jr.