LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Brooklyn Nets, who were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday, are interested in San Antonio Spurs icon Gregg Popovich as their next head coach and will explore that possibility,
The Athletic has learned.
With NBA postseason eliminations beginning to occur, several additional organizations are being thrown into offseason mode, joining the eight teams that were not invited to the bubble and the six teams that were eliminated in the seeding games. The Nets and 76ers joined those teams on Sunday.
The Nets made the playoffs and, for all intents and purposes, had a successful run during the NBA’s restart: a 5-3 seeding games record and clinching the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference postseason, despite the absences of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, Taurean Prince and Wilson Chandler.
Now, the Nets are not your typical first-round, lower-seed elimination. They have a cast of superstars and/or high-level starters returning to the lineup for 2020-21, which has solidified them as title contenders. The Nets will start their head coaching search immediately, and as
The Athletic detailed on Aug. 11, Brooklyn owner Joe Tsai wants a full-scale process to identify the proper coach for the franchise.
The Nets have a list of coaching candidates, including
the incumbent Jacque Vaughn, Jason Kidd, Ty Lue, Ime Udoka and Jeff Van Gundy. Vaughn did a tremendous job coaching the Nets given the circumstances inside the NBA bubble, and will remain a significant candidate to retain the job.
However, there is another dream candidate, a coaching icon whose stature speaks for itself.
The first priority of the Nets’ coaching search has become clear: They plan to seriously explore the possibilities with Popovich, sources tell
The Athletic.
Popovich expressed after the Spurs’ season ended in Orlando that he intends to continue coaching, and there is no indication right now that it would be anywhere but San Antonio. Still, sources said, the Nets will pursue the viability of Popovich.
He is a favorite of Nets star Kevin Durant, league sources say, even dating as far back as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s coaching search process in 2015 (which ultimately concluded with the hire of Billy Donovan). There is known to be tremendous mutual respect between Popovich and KD. Durant’s presence and voice is powerful within the Nets’ franchise, and Popovich represents a bonding candidate between the two-time Finals MVP and Brooklyn’s front office. ESPN reported on Sunday evening that Durant and Irving have shown an interest in Popovich.
In addition, Popovich has several connections to the Nets, including general manager Sean Marks, assistant GM Andy Birdsong, Vaughn, and assistant coaches Bret Brielmaier and Tiago Splitter. Marks, Vaughn and Splitter all played for Popovich in San Antonio too, with Marks and Vaughn serving as assistants under him at different points.
Across the NBA, Popovich, 71, leaving the franchise he has stewarded for 26 years and taking a new opportunity is deemed a pipe dream for now. The Nets would need permission to speak to Popovich, and compensation could become necessary if talks advance.
The Spurs went 5-3 in the Orlando resumption and were in the hunt for the eighth seed in the Western Conference on the final day. During the restart, San Antonio saw growth from several players — including Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, their last two first-round picks in Lonnie Walker and Keldon Johnson, and Jakob Poeltl — and veterans DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay performing well in lineups with the franchise’s younger talent.
But as the Nets begin their coaching search process — a significant decision for a franchise entering championship contention — this is a scenario the ownership and front office will have to analyze.
Harris too.
can't wait till next season
KD's Revenge
rip
and just adding a reliable back up 4 ..Maybe Claxton can be that...Im all for bringing back TLC and Temple..We have team options on them...Only so much room on this roster tho so and bench needs a boost to win it all..
