The New Orleans Hornets have established preliminary contact with Doug Collins about their coaching opening, ESPN.com has learned.

NBA coaching sources said Friday that Collins is among the high-profile candidates for the position, along with ESPN analysts Avery Johnson and Jeff Van Gundy.

Collins, who worked Thursday night?s Lakers-Thunder game in Oklahoma City, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Yahoo! Sports reported earlier this week that former New Jersey Nets coach Lawrence Frank and San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Mike Budenholzer will also be considered.