Sydney Kings have identified a couple of coaches with NBL experience as potential candidates to replace Shane Heal but have not ruled out appointing a caretaker if their most successful ever mentor, Brian Goorjian, becomes available.
After Friday's away loss to Wollongong ended Sydney's finals hopes, Heal announced that he wouldn't look to renew his expiring contract with the Kings.
Sydney finished one win behind fourth-placed Wollongong with a 12-14 record after a rollercoaster campaign ended with losses to the Hawks and last-placed Townsville.
Apart from Heal, Sydney stand to lose two of their best players.
Towering centre AJ Ogilvy only signed a one-year deal and has told the club he plans to play in Europe.
Star import Sam Young is heading to play in Puerto Rico and wants to return to the NBA, although he hasn't totally shut the door on returning to the Kings.
Sydney general manager Rod Harys told AAP the club would definitely appoint a new coach within a month.
"There is a couple of candidates with previous NBL coaching experience out there that we do know about," said Harys, who declined to reveal their identities.
Goorjian led the Kings to their only three NBL titles between 2003 and 2005, but has been coaching in China since 2009.
"It's no secret that we would love to see Goorj back at the helm of the Kings one day," Harys said.
"I know he's still contracted in China, but I'm not sure of his movements after next season.
"It will definitely be a priority of the club to start discussions with Goorj and see where things are at.
"It definitely would be a possibility that we could look at a caretaker coach for a year if Goorj was available."
Harys said Young had enjoyed his time in Sydney and wanted to come back, but the player and his manager were looking at their options.
"He does want to get back in the NBA and, if that doesn't happen, then they will look at whatever options are available and obviously Sam coming back to Sydney is one of those options," Harys said.
"He said he'd love to come back and play in Sydney, his fiancee loves Sydney, she wants to actually study out here, so there's a lot of factors weighing in our favour."
