NBA: Brooklyn Nets Request Permission To Interview Lionel Hollins, Grizzlies Head Coach, For Their Vacant Spot

It looks inevitable that the Memphis Grizzlies will part ways with head coach Lionel Hollins despite finishing with a 56-26 record and a Western Conference Finals appearance as negotiations for a new contract have stalled.

Hollins, whose contract runs out at the end of the month, said he was surprised team management allowed him to interview for other coaching vacancies, during a radio interview on Monday, and wanted to finish what he started.

"I believe in Memphis. I love Memphis," Hollins said to Peter Edmiston on Memphis' Sports 56 WHBQ/87.7 FM. "I never had any intention of going anywhere. I don't have any intention of going anywhere."

Hollins, who was 196-159 (.552) across six seasons spanning two separate stints in Memphis, and the Grizzlies' front-office have been reported to have had philosophical differences, throughout the season, in how to coach the team. According to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski's, Hollins has been at odds with the Grizzlies' new ownership group's sports analytics approach to the game. Robert Pera's group wants a coach willing to use their approach in making roster, lineup, and systems decision.

Hollins disputes reports that he resents interference from the front office. "I never knew there were philosophical differences except the ones that the media put out there because of my answers to questions," said Hollins.

Hollins also denies ever wanting to get rid of power forward Zach Randolph and shooting guard Tony Allen from the roster.

"Just for the record I do not want to get rid of Zach Randolph, I do not want to get rid of Tony Allen," said Hollins. "I've had my meetings with Zach Randolph about expectations next year - conditioning, weight, role on the team. Zach Randolph has been a huge part of what we've done here. Tony Allen has been a huge part of what we've done here."

The Los Angeles Clippers, who recently fired Vinny Del Negro, and the Brooklyn Nets, who chose not to re-new interim-coach P.J. Carlesimo's contract after firing Avery Johnson earlier in the season, are rumored to have interest in Hollins.

Thus far, the Phoenix Suns (Jeff Hornacek), Charlotte Bobcats (Steve Clifford), Atlanta Hawks (Mike Budenholzer), and Milwaukee Bucks (Larry Drew) have hired new coaches, with the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, Clippers, and Nets still interviewing candidates.

Hollins says he will talk with other teams but that his heart is with the Grizzlies and wanted to stay in Memphis in order to build on this season's success.

"I want to coach the Memphis Grizzlies, the team that the city has embraced and that has the potential to go further with a few tweaks and adjustments," said Hollins. "If there's no conversation or if management feels there's no common ground with us, then I have no choice."

The Nets, who were recently denied permission to talk to Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, have formerly reached out to the Grizzlies about approaching Hollins for their open position, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.