Photo Courtesy Of Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics/ Wikimedia Commons
The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly been working on finalizing a deal to hire Ime Udoka as the official head coach.
According to ESPN, The Brooklyn Nets are finalizing a deal to hire suspended Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka. Sources also told the outlet that a formal agreement is expected soon.
The Nets have been attempting to save the struggling franchise amidst a 2-6 start to the NBA season–a rough beginning after parting with coach Steve Nash. Sources told ESPN that although Boston doesn’t require draft compensation from Brooklyn to hire Udoka, discussions must be had before a deal can be finalized.
According to Sis2Sis, the Boston Celtics suspended Udoka for the 2022-23 season after he was accused of cheating with a then-unnamed employee. The alleged affair was described as a consensual “intimate relationship,” but the staffer accused Ime of making “unwanted comments towards her.” As such, the Celtics conducted several interviews and decided to suspend him for the 2022-2023 NBA season due to “violations of team policies.”
It was later revealed that Udoka was allegedly involved with a white Mormon woman, Kathleen Nimmo Lynch, who’s married with three children.
“The good thing is that everyone regrets what happened and is taking responsibility, and humbled, and trying to fight for their families and lives back,” an insider claimed.
The Nets have reportedly been evaluating the circumstances surrounding Udoka’s suspension and believe he can improve its 29th-ranked defensive team. The team also has faith in his leadership style, as it has a very tense locker room, sources said.
The 45-year-old reportedly spent a season with Australian player Ben Simmons, whom the Nets are desperately trying to get on track. He had done so while on the Philadelphia 76ers’ coaching staff from 2019-20.
The Nets will reportedly keep the acting head coach, assistant Jacque Vaughn until Udoka can begin the position.