Rick Carlisle seemed to be a strong candidate for the Boston Celtics head coaching job after parting ways with the Dallas Mavericks, but Brad Stevens appears to have other ideas.

Carlisle recently informed the Mavericks he would not be returning as head coach for the 2021-22 season. There had been speculation he might be a top candidate for the Celtics, considering he played for Boston in the mid-1980s.

However, Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald reported Carlisle is not considered one of the “three or four” head coaching candidates the Celtics are currently weighing.

The Celtics have begun interviewing internal candidates, but are also starting to reach out to other coaches around the league.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported former Celtics draft pick and current Los Angeles Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups is among those up for consideration. Indeed Wojnarowski reported Friday Billups figures to get a second interview, with Brooklyn Nets assistant Ime Udoka and Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham also in the running.

There have been some murmurings suggesting current Duke University women's head coach Kara Lawson is a top candidate for the job, as well.

Boston is entering something of a transitory period with Brad Stevens taking over for Danny Ainge. The Celtics have an agreement to send Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder and will now retool the organization to build around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

As for Carlisle, he still remains an intriguing candidate for any number of jobs still available. Perhaps a return to the Indiana Pacers is still in the cards.