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January 22, 2011; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Hornets lead assistant coach Michael Malone during the fourth quarter of a game against the San Antonio Spurs at the New Orleans Arena. The Hornets defeated the Spurs 96-72. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors assistant coach Michael Malone has been identified as a “strong candidate” to replace the fired Alvin Gentry as head coach of the Phoenix Suns next season, according to our partner site Sports Illustrated.

Chris Mannix reports that rival executives have brought up Malone’s name in connection with the job.

Sources tell the San Francisco Chronicle that Malone is the highest-paid assistant in the NBA, signing a three-year, $2.25 million contract last season with the Warriors.

He was a hot commodity on the market in the off-season, drawing interest from the Trail Blazers and Magic for their vacant head coaching positions going into the 2012-2013 season. However, he was not offered a job, and returned to the Warriors as an assistant.

Prior to joining the Warriors, Malone was an assistant for the Hornets, Cavaliers, and Knicks.