Report: Sixers interested in Hornacek for head coaching job

The Philadelphia 76ers have received permission to speak with Utah Jazz assistant coach Jeff Hornacek for their head coaching vacancy, according to a report by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

Hornacek, 49, has been an assistant coach with the Jazz since February 2010, following a stint as a special consultant with the organization. As a player, he spent 1 1/2 seasons with the 76ers from 1992 to 1994 before being traded to the Jazz at the deadline in exchange for Jeff Malone. Here, he teamed with Karl Malone and John Stockton to lead the Jazz to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. Somewhat amusingly, per the Wojnarowski report, Hornacek finds himself up against yet another Malone for the Sixers gig: Golden State assistant Mike Malone.

Wojnarowski reports Philadelphia has also received permission to speak with Malone, the NBA's top-paid assistant and the lead man on Mark Jackson's staff.

The 76ers are seeking a replacement for Doug Collins, who retired on April 18 after Philadelphia finished 34-48 and missed the playoffs.

The team with which Hornacek started his career, the Phoenix Suns, also has a head coaching vacancy and the Jazz assistant could be a candidate there. Hornacek was reportedly a candidate for the coaching opening in Orlando last year before the organization ultimately hired Hornacek's former teammate, one-time Jazz backup point guard Jacque Vaughn.

Hornacek filled Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin's assistant coach job in 2010 after Jerry Sloan retired abruptly in the middle of the 2010 season.

After being traded to the Jazz in 1994, the sure shooter went on to set a franchise record for career 3-point percentage (42.8 percent) and set team records for career and single-season free throw percentage. His No. 14 jersey is among nine retired by the Jazz.

— Bill Oram