Brian Shaw has become one of the NBA's most valuable assistant coaches and was a candidate for several vacant positions this past offseason.

Donnie Walsh, President of Basketball Operations for the Indiana Pacers, believes this could be the offseason where Shaw lands his first head coaching job.

“I think he’s going to be a great head coach, period,” said Walsh. “I don’t have any doubt about it. I’m sure he’s going to be a big candidate this year.”

Walsh sees Shaw’s knowledge of the game and ability to relate to players as what separates him from other candidates.

“He knows the game,” said Walsh. “He has a tremendous ability of approaching players in a language they understand, but he’s firm, he tells them when they’re wrong so it’s not just he’s a player who can get along, he is a coach. I think he’ll be a great coach.”

Orlando Johnson previously credited Shaw for his development in an interview with RealGM’s Michael Scotto and echoed much of Walsh’s praise for Shaw.