Byron Scott, Clippers talk head coaching job, according to report

The Clippers and Byron Scott are talking about the team's vacant head coaching position. (Brock Williams-Smith/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Clippers have contacted Byron Scott about their vacant head coaching position, ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reported on Thursday.

Scott, who was recently fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers, was contacted by Clippers vice president of basketball operations Gary Sacks this week, according to Broussard. He reported that the discussions between Scott and the Clippers are preliminary and that a formal interview hasn't even been set up yet.

Aside from his three seasons in Cleveland, Scott has also been the head coach of the New Jersey Nets from 2000-04 and of the New Orleans Hornets from 2004-10. The Nets made the NBA Finals twice during his time as coach. But his teams have missed the playoffs in seven of his 11 full seasons as a coach, and he has only a 416-521 career record.

Scott also was a longtime member of the Los Angeles Lakers as a player during the team's "Showtime era."

The Clippers are searching for a replacement for Vinny Del Negro, who they fired on May 21. They are reportedly looking to target "big names first" in their search, including Jeff and Stan Van Gundy, Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw and Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins. Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Clippers had also reached out to Jeff Van Gundy to gauge preliminary interest.