The Miami Heat brims with talent and passion throughout their franchise. From rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. to legendary Pat Riley, Miami oozes potential all the way. One of their key alpinists is Chris Quinn, the assistant coach whom the team trusts to act as the head coach in Erik Spoelstra’s absence. The 40-year-old is living a full circle moment, as he began his playing NBA career with the Heat.

Quinn went undrafted in the 2006 NBA drafts and was signed by the Heat on a partial guarantee contract. After his shares of battles in the Summer League, Chris made the cut and posted 14 points in his first NBA game. Just like coach Spo’s absence propelling Quinn into the limelight now, he saw more court action with Gary Payton, Smush Parker, and Dwyane Wade‘s sidelining. Despite his key rotational value, he saw the exit door in 2010 with a trade to the New Jersey Nets.

With plenty of hardships around the league, Quinn was involved briefly with the Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs. However, he then took his talents overseas to Russia and Spain before signing his final NBA contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2012-13 season.

Looking back at the success he found in Miami, Quinn transitioned to an assistant coaching role with the franchise when LeBron James went back to Cleveland (2014-15). Before that, he served as the Director of Player Development for Northwestern Wildcats. A further promotion saw him in a similar role at the Miami Heat with a chance to coach its Summer League Team in 2017.

Now, with a few stints as interim head coach, Quinn is the most trusted ally, often regarded as his Mini-Me. Moreover, he has crafted a similar respect amongst players, with Jimmy Butler citing, “He’s going to be a head coach one day very, very soon.” However, it might not happen so soon as a team might be eyeing his services, but there’s competition.

Chris Quinn might rival JJ Redick for Hornets HC role

The Charlotte Hornets are about to cut ties with Steve Clifford in the off-season and are eyeing a new head coach. The team is looking at several assistant coaches within the league, including Quinn and JJ Reddick. However, from what their coaching careers look like, Chris Quinn might fit the vacancy due to his decade-long coaching background. On the other hand, it will be Reddick’s initial coaching stint in the league.

Like Doc Rivers, JJ Reddick will have to hang his tie on for the analytical roles he performs for ESPN. Nevertheless, “JJ Redick has a strong desire, potentially, to move into coaching,” Sham Charania claimed recently.

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While it makes the decision easy for JJ, there is a possibility that Quinn, because of the Heat’s history of loyalty and culture, might end up staying on the route of being Erik Spo’s successor. Quinn, despite being chased by the Indiana Pacers (2020) and Washington Wizard (2022), has displayed a stable stance to continue staying with the Heat. “When you listen to Quinny, you’re hearing Spo. It’s the same message,” Heat legend Udonis Haslem said about Chris. With that, alongside their identical mentality and demeanor, it seems the obvious transition when Spo retires.