The Nets are hiring Juwan Howard as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Howard, 51, was fired last month after spending five seasons as the head coach of his alma mater, Michigan.
The fifth overall pick of the 1994 draft, Howard played 19 seasons in the NBA, making All-Star and All-NBA teams in 1995/96 and winning a pair of championships as a bit role player with Miami at the very end of his career.
After his playing days ended, Howard immediately transitioned to coaching. He was an NBA assistant for six seasons with the Heat before becoming the Wolverines’ head coach in 2019.
Howard was reportedly the Lakers’ top coaching target in 2022, when they ultimately hired Darvin Ham. Howard, who played college ball with Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, declined those overtures to stay with Michigan.
Howard is the second assistant coach the Nets are bringing on under new head coach Jordi Fernandez. As Wojnarowski previously reported, former Portland assistant Steve Hetzel, who has a preexisting relationship with Fernandez, is also joining Brooklyn’s staff.
For some reason I can see the nets allowing him to back out of this when the lakers let go of Ham this summer. He’d be able to get the head coaching job he wants and the Lakers get their guy
I don’t think the Lakers choose another first time HC. Not with Bron and AD trying to magically find the NBA Finals again. Experienced guy like Budenholzer.
terrible hire! howard is a laughing stock.
I wanna see him fight Draymond