Report: Nets plan to hire Kings assistant Fernandez as head coach

Report: Nets plan to hire Kings assistant Fernandez as head coach originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jordi Fernandez appears set to become a first-time NBA head coach.

The Sacramento Kings assistant coach emerged as the Brooklyn Nets' top head-coaching candidate on Monday, with the team prepared to make him their next hire, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported, citing sources.

Fernandez was recently rumored to be a finalist for the position alongside names like former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer and Phoenix Suns assistant Kevin Young.

The 41-year-old reportedly was also involved in interviews for the Charlotte Hornets' opening.

Brooklyn fired Jacque Vaughn in February after a 21-33 start to the season. The Nets started their rebuild last season after dealing away Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Mikal Bridges, Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Nicolas Claxton and Ben Simmons are some of the marquee names on the roster.

Fernandez joined the Kings in 2022 and quickly worked up to become an associate head coach with the team. After the reported news, his fellow Kings assistant coach Luke Loucks wished him well.

Fernandez started NBA-related coaching in 2009 with the Cleveland Cavaliers in player development, then had a long stint with the Denver Nuggets from 2016-22, which included time with former Kings head coach Mike Malone.

Fernandez has also been the head coach for the Canadian men's basketball team, which recently won bronze at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Fernandez will continue to coach the Kings for the rest of the 2023-24 NBA season, per Wojnarowski, with Sacramento set to face the Golden State Warriors in Tuesday's NBA Play-In Tournament Game.

But when he leaves, Mike Brown and Co. would need to fill big shoes to replace Fernandez's impact on the team.