Larry Brown is interested in becoming Boston’s lead assistant coach, but the Celtics are reportedly “inclined to promote” Mike Longabardi, an assistant coach, from within the organization. (Yahoo! Sports)

Despite Brown’s credentials and good relationship with Rivers, the Celtics coach is inclined to promote a well-regarded young assistant on his staff – Mike Longabardi – sources said. Nevertheless, Rivers hasn’t ruled out the idea of further discussing a spot for Brown on his bench next season.

Rivers agreed to a new five-year, $35 million contract in June, and the Celtics aren’t dying to pay for a high-profile assistant like they’ve had recently in Tom Thibodeau and Frank, sources said. And yet as one league source close to Brown said, “Larry would do this for less than the going rate.”

It makes perfect sense that Boston would spurn Brown to promote Longabardi. Brown’s a Hall of Famer. He has won 1,098 games as a head coach, earned four Coach of the Year Awards (including one in the NBA and three in the now-defunct ABA), and developed a reputation as one of the best basketball teaching minds in history. He has a tight relationship with Doc Rivers, thrives while coaching veteran teams, and would reportedly coach in Boston “for less than the going rate.” A resumé like that simply can’t compete with Longabardi’s long list of accomplishments.

I mean, Longabardi was an assistant coach at Pfeiffer University! He was a video coordinator for the Houston Rockets! He was on the coaching staff that led the Lafayette Leopards to a Patriot League title!

If the Celtics don’t pass on Brown to offer the position to Longabardi, they’re crazy. Crazy, I tell ya.

P.S. – Longabardi might be one of the brightest young basketball minds in the world. I have no idea.