Clippers Get OK From Mavericks to Talk With Motta

The Clippers, still looking for a new coach, have been granted permission by the Dallas Mavericks to talk to Dallas Coach Dick Motta.

However, Clipper President Alan Rothenberg said the club hasn’t decided if it will interview Motta.

“Alan Rothenberg called (Dallas) owner Don Carter on Friday and asked for permission to talk to Dick and we gave it to him,” said Norm Sonju, the Maverick general manager.

However, Sonju said that he’s confident Motta will remain with the Mavericks.

“Motta’s not going anywhere,” Sonju said. “But they (the Clippers) asked to talk to him and we gave them permission.”

Rothenberg said: “I asked if they (the Mavericks) would mind if we decided to talk to him (Motta) and they said yes. I don’t know if we’re going to talk to him.”

Motta has come under fire after the Mavericks were eliminated from the playoffs by the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Dallas Morning News reported Friday that a representative of Motta had contacted the Clippers and the New York Knicks.

Motta wasn’t available for comment.

Since firing Don Chaney, the Clippers have interviewed ex-New York Knicks’ Coach Hubie Brown, former Phoenix Coach John MacLeod and ex-Philadelphia 76ers’ Coach Gene Shue.

Brown is reportedly the leading candidate for the job. No decision is expected until team owner Donald T. Sterling, who has been out of town, returns next week.