Brooklyn Nets zeroing in on hiring embattled Ime Udoka as head coach
The Brooklyn Nets are zeroing in on suspended Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka to become their next coach, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.
The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the Nets’ coaching search.
On Tuesday, the Nets fired Steve Nash after a 2-5 start and several on- and off-court issues, and immediately, Udoka surfaced as a replacement.
Udoka, 45, was suspended for the entire 2022-23 season on Sept. 22 for what the team called, “violations of team policies.”
Several outlets, including USA TODAY Sports, reported Udoka had a relationship with a team staffer. ESPN reported that an independent investigation revealed Udoka “used crude language in his dialogue with a female subordinate prior to the start of an improper workplace relationship.”
Udoka was an assistant coach for Nash in Brooklyn for the 2020-21 season and was hired by Boston in the summer of 2021 following Brad Stevens’ surprising decision to step down and join the front office. Nets general manager Sean Marks and Udoka worked together with the San Antonio Spurs.
Udoka had an excellent season with the Celtics, leading them to the NBA Finals.
Udoka remains under contract with the Celtics, who would need to dissolve the agreement, but that does not appear to be a roadblock in the Nets’ pursuit.
The Nets have Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and a deep roster but have failed to meet expectations, amid injuries, controversies and dysfunction.
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brooklyn Nets zeroing in on hiring embattled Ime Udoka as head coach
