Ime Udoka, the head coach who was suspended by the Boston Celtics for engaging in an improper relationship with a married subordinate, may not be able to rehabilitate his career just yet.
The owner of the Brooklyn Nets, Joe Tsai, is reportedly being strongly advised to resist the urge to hire Udoka to try to transform the dysfunctional Brooklyn Nets — much the way Udoka resuscitated the fledgling Celtics last year.
League sources say there have been some "strong voices" urging Joe Tsai to back off the Nets' intent to hire suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka as Steve Nash's successor given the considerable turmoil Brooklyn has already faced this season.
More to come: https://t.co/LGN9cVpMwn
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 7, 2022
Udoka, if he is hired, would be returning home. He was an assistant coach with the Nets just before he was hired by the Boston Celtics last season. Udoka transformed the Celtics — who were flailing and sinking below .500 — and led them to one of the greatest single-season turnarounds in NBA history. The Celtics made it to the NBA Finals and were two games away from winning the championship.
For Brooklyn, interim head coach Jacque Vaughn took over after Steve Nash was abruptly terminated following the Nets’ disappointing 3-6 start. The Nets are also dealing with an explosive situation with talented but troubled point guard Kyrie Irving. He has been suspended at least five games without pay after posting an antisemitic film on his Twitter page. The league and Nets are mandating that Irving has to satisfactorily complete a six-step action plan before he is allowed to return to the team.
