David Blatt accepts Head Cavs job

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The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached a verbal agreement with David Blatt to become their coach, and a deal could be signed by Friday, sources told ESPN.com.

Blatt, the first Euroleague coach to come to the NBA as a head coach, has been in Cleveland this week meeting with Cavs officials and was offered the job on Thursday night. Also on Friday, the Cavs hosted potential No. 1 overall draft pick Jabari Parkerfor a visit and a workout.

It is a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option, the sources said.

Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Tyronn Lue was the other finalist for the job, sources said, after a protracted search to replace Mike Brown that lasted six weeks and included numerous candidates.

Blatt, 55, will be coming to the NBA after a successful 20-year coaching career in Europe that included stops in Israel, Greece, Russia and Turkey. He led Maccabi Tel Aviv to the Euroleague championship this past season. In 2012, he coached the Russian national team to the bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in London.

A former player under legendary coach Pete Carril at Princeton, Blatt typically runs the Princeton-style offense with his teams.

He has a long relationship with many NBA executives, including Cavaliers general manager David Griffin. Had the Cavs not offered Blatt their job, Steve Kerr was ready to hire him to be his lead assistant at Golden State.

The Cavs have missed the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. Blatt will be their third head coach in the past three years.

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