Brooklyn Nets Finalizing Deal To Hire Ime Udoka As Head Coach
The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly finalizing a deal to hire suspended Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka with a formal agreement expected soon.
According to ESPN, Boston is not requiring draft compensation from Brooklyn to hire Udoka, however there are discussions that are taking place prior to a deal being finalized.
The Nets are attempting to salvage their season after starting 2-6, which led to the firing of coach Steve Nash. They lost to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night 108-99. Assistant Jacque Vaughn will assume the role of acting head coach until Udoka is able to start the job.
Udoka was suspended by Boston for the 2022-23 season for an improper relationship with a subordinate before training camp. ESPN reports that the Celtics did not plan to stand in the way of Udoka accepting another position.
Udoka, 45, served as an assistant to Nash during the 2020-21 season before becoming the Celtics’ coach and leading them to the NBA Finals last season. He was also a USA Basketball assistant coach at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Nets forward Kevin Durant led a gold medal-winning effort.
Nash’s overall record with the Nets has been mediocre at best since he joined the team in 2020 for his first head coaching gig. In his two-plus seasons at the helm, Brooklyn’s gone a combined 94-57 (.584).
