The Hawks are considering Ime Udoka as a potential replacement for Nate McMillan, sources tell Marc Stein (Twitter link).
Rumors swirled about several prominent coaches after McMillan’s dismissal was announced Tuesday, but this is the first time we’ve heard Udoka as a possibility. Stein notes that Atlanta officials have only acknowledged former Jazz coach Quin Snyder as a candidate, but adds that he’s heard Bucks assistant Charles Lee mentioned frequently among his sources.
Udoka parted ways with the Celtics last week after the organization removed the interim tag from Joe Mazzulla, according to Brian Robb of MassLive. Udoka had been under suspension since September for having an affair with a staff member.
The 45-year-old could be one of the most sought-after names on the coaching market when the season ends, so Atlanta has the chance to lock him down before any other teams make coaching changes. In his only year as a head coach, Udoka took the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season.
Udoka was briefly considered the favorite to replace Steve Nash when he reached a mutual agreement with the Nets to step down in November, but protests regarding Udoka’s conduct in Boston convinced Brooklyn to move in a different direction and give the job to Jacque Vaughn. We’ll have to see if a similar situation arises involving the Hawks or any other franchise that may consider hiring Udoka.
In addition to the names mentioned above, Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez, Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson, and South Bay Lakers coach Miles Simon are considered to be candidates in Atlanta’s coaching search. Interim head coach Joe Prunty will lead the team when it resumes its season on Friday.
Udoka over Snyder? Doubt it. To even mention Steve Nash in an open NBA coaching position article should be a crime. (Even if it was about his replacement)
Too bad Vaughn signed with the Nets, he probably could have got more $ with the Hawks, and being a former PG might have fit well with Young.
Spot on.
Trae is poison. He can’t play D and his shooting is getting worse. Quinn will stay clear of Utah. Pop is going to step down and Quinn will be his replacement.
Lots of strip clubs in Atlanta. Ime would love it
Is Nia coming with him?
They’re no longer together
Synder not moving his young kids to magic city and take that job.. Hawks could only wish… That’s funny to hear that name swirl around in those rumors.. He’s too good of a coach to walk in to that toxic situation… He will be the Spurms coach when Pops retires..
Will he take the Spurms to magic city?
Let him go coach in GLeague or something!
I’d be somewhere between surprised and shocked if Snyder goes to ATL. But I guess that putting his name out there works for both sides. Udoka is interesting because it might suit him to just take any NBA job that’s offered to put his situation behind him. The other candidates would all be first time HC’s, which is where I see ATL needing to go.
In addition to Snyder and Udoka, Atkinson also has HC experience; he coached Brooklyn for a few seasons, but I’m guessing that was just oversight.
Do assistants normally leave mid season for head coaching jobs else where ? I guess this is a rare situation where the team is still fighting for a playoff spot where if they were in the pistons position they would just hand the Interim to an assistant
Chris finch left the raptors midseason to go to the wolves a few years ago, but it is rare.
The whole misconduct issue aside…
Isn’t Udoka just another hard ass that Trae will tune out?
Seems like the Hawks would shoot themselves in the foot more than once with that hire…
Great point. Udoka was effective with the grunts and grinders in Boston like Marcus Smart, Williams, Horford and the great defense and discipline.
Atlanta is finesse and shooting and their power positions like Collins and capella are hardly grunts and grinders. Lots of Flash, finesse and Flair.., not sure it’ll work.
Udoka was also great with the self absorbed cry babies like Tatum.
Murray and Hunter are grunts. Solid two way players.
Udoka would be a great hire. He’s a great coach
Ime would sleep with the owners wife the ex actress from Lost Boys lol