NBA coaching carousel: Will Weaver is the NBA’s best-kept secret

What the NBA/NBL thinks of Will Weaver

Weaver has been around the NBA long enough to know how it works, the current question is can he be the lead, the head coach of an NBA franchise and team.

His experience in the NBL was a unique one for many reasons but one particular reason was because of Mitch Creek – one of his players with the Long Island Nets also was in the NBL playing against Weaver during the year. Creek told HoopsHabit what was it like to be coached by Weaver was able to speak on what kind of coach and human Weaver is.

When asked about Weaver’s best traits are as a coach Creek responded with:

"He (Weaver) has the ability to relate to his players and be a very intelligent person, he’s a very analytics-based coach but he also lets players play to their strengths… his genuine care and love for his players and the sport with wanting to be the best team. Wanting to give our (Long Island’s) best effort, that’s what most important and the biggest thing about him."

Speaking with Weaver’s peers in the NBL, specifically in the head coaching ranks — the head coach of the Illawarra Hawks (yes LaMelo Ball’s coach) Matthew Flinn was kind enough to speak about Weaver. When asked “hypothetically if you heard Weaver was hired into an NBA team what would your response be?”

"“The best coaches instill a system that is innovative… Weaver did that in his first year, the purists would agree, he changed the NBL game quickly… I find it as no surprise that the NBA executives recognize his skills, he has a great package… analysis, good human, skill development, brings the best out of people”"

Another factor that hasn’t been overly acknowledged is the relationship between Weaver and previously Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager, and now the Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon. During the 2019 NBA Draft, the Pelicans acquired the rights from the Atlanta Hawks who selected Didi Louzada 35th overall pick.

He wasn’t going to play his first season so he was likely to end up in the G-League or as a draft and stash, Langdon who had known and trusted Weaver from his Nets days put Louzada in the care of Weaver. Langdon made the right call —  Louzada turned into one of the best players on the team and a key role-player during the NBL finals. (and who has now re-signed for next season)

Weaver has proven over and over he can get the best out of teams and players as the undrafted 24-year-old Jae’Sean Tate made All-NBL first team this season.  Which the Athletics’ John Hollinger alluded to on his podcast by saying Tate could be on an NBA team soon. “I think he’s a guy NBA teams look at”

It’s more of a question of ‘when’ than ‘if’ with Weaver becoming an NBA head coach, and he could easily be a lead assistant this coming NBA season. But until then Weaver is still on the market and making the NBL better for it.