Michigan Basketball: 3 takeaways from John Beilein leaving for Cavs
Michigan was prepared for this
There has been some great reporting done this morning by Nick Baumgardner of the Detroit Free Press on the situation and he is reporting that Michigan AD Warde Manuel became convinced that Beilein would leave for the NBA after the Pistons flirtation last season, so there is a short list, supposedly.
It also sheds light on just how badly Beilein wanted to take the next step into the NBA. He’s 66 years old and so if he was going to do it, it pretty much had to be now. So that makes sense, although it stings because he did say last year he was staying with Michigan basketball for the rest of his career.
Really thought this was possible this season after talking to Beilein about the NBA last May. Still thought it possible when the 2018-19 season ended.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) May 13, 2019
He was really, really interested in that Pistons job. Really, really interested in the NBA.
Yet, he must see opportunity in Cleveland. There are a couple of pieces and if the Cavs get the top pick, Zion Williamson will help the rebuild. If not though, things could be more difficult.
The good news is that while the fanbase was stunned by this, Manuel wasn’t. That doesn’t mean his short list is going to be great or that it has the next coach on it, but it makes me feel better that this didn’t come out of left field as far as the Michigan administration is concerned.