Former Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson has reached an agreement to become one of Steve Kerr‘s lead assistants with the Warriors, according to Anthony Slater and Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Atkinson, who spent this season as a lead assistant with the Clippers, would join Mike Brown in the role, giving Golden State two ex-head coaches as Kerr’s top assistants, sources tell the authors. Atkinson would replace Jarron Collins, who parted ways with the team last month.
The 54-year-old Atkinson was considered as a possible candidate for the head coaching vacancy in Orlando. He served as head coach in Brooklyn from 2016 to 2020 and has previous experience as an assistant with the Knicks and Hawks.
Although he was dismissed after clashing with Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Atkinson did an admirable job of making the franchise competitive again and helped develop young players such as Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen and D’Angelo Russell.
Along with Atkinson, the Warriors will also add Dejan Milojević and Jama Mahlalela to their coaching staff, according to The Athletic’s sources. Milojević specializes in working with big men, while Mahlalela has been part of the Raptors‘ development staff since 2013.
Kenny did a better job than Nash with D’Lo, Allen and Levert and not a single MVP!
D’Lo left the Nets 1year before Nash became their head coach.
I don’t think you understood his comment…
Billups is gone and now Atkinson too on a lateral move to the rival team? What’s happening in Clippers land??
Massive. Dubs just wrapped up the chip. Goodnight everyone, rent free
Magic or Pelicans should of hired Atkinson. He’ll do well in GS and then will be sought after. Glad he got a job. Let’s face it Kerr can use the help. He’s great with young talent.
In a way, you kinda expected this. It was was obvious to me that they were starting a rebuild when they drafted Wiseman. 3 coaches that specialize in player development. You mix in a couple of high upside draft picks, with the mix of Curry, Thompson, and Green, and this team could be a lot of fun. Veterans, even if they are on the downside of their career, are golden.
Massive, huh? Maybe they can get past the play-in tournament next year, if they finish in the top 10.
Wally is butt hurt again.
Even with half the team out for injuries they still almost knocked out the Lakers. Must be sad to be a Rocket’s fan and know the Warriors took away their window of a championship and now left with years of bottom feeding.
Wonderful move by the Warriors. Atkinson did a great job in Brooklyn, helping to change the culture in a very positive way and developing players.
Hmmm…The Dubs hire 3 coaches that specialize in player development…I think it is pretty safe to say they won’t be trading their draft picks for a ‘Star’ veteran. Marty is going to be really mad. It is pretty obvious the direction the Warriors are going…Please don’t give that whiney ass statement that the Warriors Championship window is closing. It is always a ridiculous statement.
They will probably still deal one of them.
Yes Vince you may have a legitimate point. But I’ll ask this.. does it really mean the Warriors will start looking young? I was pretty convinced they would not do the partial rebuild but you think this hire suggests they’re keeping Wiseman and one or both of the pics? In my opinion I think they’re still on track to deal all the youth for a couple of studs. I think this hire doesn’t contradict that but I might be wrong.
I wonder if these Player Development coaches being hired means Bob Myers has made all the calls and there’s no big names available in the trade market? My hopes of Landing an All-Star or two look slim to none? Thoughts?
I don’t understand why you need Superstar. Steph Curry was kinda of a bust his first few seasons. I’m serious. Steph Curry first few seasons were a disaster. I don’t really care about big names…You don’t need big names to win a Championship. Look at the ’75 team.
Correct except for the name Barry. He carried that team and never got enough credit for his accomplishment. Greatest warrior ever not named Curry
Curry’s first season he finished second in rookie of the year voting to Tyreke Evans. It was the ankle injuries that kind of derailed the next couple of seasons.
There’s gonna be a coaching move from left field after the Olympics… of course, everybody on here already knows about it
Popovich quits and Becky Hammon becomes a Spurs head coach?
If you look at Ayton. A guy who was all offense in college. An athletic big with gm. He’s the anchor of Suns D. A great rebounder which is part of playing D. This is what a talented big can give you. Even a young one. Wiseman can do same for Warriors while he develops his offense and learns the league. Ayton has big offensive gm. But he holds back for sake of team. All his points are easy points. His FG% in playoffs is excellent. His offense will improve. Then he takes Over league. To me Wiseman can be as good if not better. There’s no rushing him though. Expectations are not results. Everything in time. Warriors can still ride his D and rebounding to success. I wouldn’t trade this guy. I think there is a player at 7 that can help Warriors next yr. He also can be part of future with Wiseman. That 14th pick and Obrue sign trade. Is a solid trade chip. I still believe Warriors make a major trade draft night.
If Milojević specializes in coaching big men I would say that puts to rest the idea that Wiseman is going anywhere in a trade. I don’t think the Warriors would bring in a guy to raise Looney’s game since he has pretty much reached his ceiling.
Wonder if he will force all the players to go on the Atkins diet LMAO
Get it?
Agree with most of the comments above; with these moves, I don’t think Wiseman is going anywhere. And it’s possible now they keep both picks; having 2 in the Top-15 doesn’t happen very often if at all.
They can still address their thin bench by cashing in on Wiggins at his peak, and an Oubre sign-and-trade.
Kenny needs to bring Serge with him. Dubs need a 3rd big for pick-and-pops with Steph
Kenny needs to bring Serge with him for pick-and-pops with Steph. 3 bigs is not too much.