NBA championship contender Brooklyn Nets is reportedly nearing a full agreement to sign suspended Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka following Tuesday’s sacking of Steve Nash.
The reports of Udoka’s potential appointment add to the dramatic few months for both the franchise and the head coach himself.
The Nets were already under pressure to perform after failing to advance to the NBA finals last year, given the depth of the team.
Also, they were already entering the season with a bit of a dark cloud following the issue of Kyrie Irving not getting a contract extension, Kevin Durant previously asking for a trade, and internal instability which perhaps played into their stutter this season.
For Udoka, the news comes a month, after Boston suspended the former player for what the Franchise asserted was a violation of team guidelines, after allegedly having a consensual intimate relationship with a female Celtics staffer, while being engaged to actress Nia Long.
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka wrote in a statement addressing the situation which was shared online by ESPN’s Malika Andrews.
“I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision,” the statement continues. “Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”
Udoka has been in a relationship with long time girlfriend, the actress since meeting in 2010.
The couple who share a 10-year-old son, Kez Sunday, confirmed their engagement in 2015.
If Udoka is appointed to the top job at Brooklyn, it will be a return of sorts for the 45-year-old after previously serving as an assistant coach in 2019 before taking over as Celtics boss in 2021, leading them to the 2022 NBA finals.
The feat was a major improvement for the team, which was making its first Finals appearance since 2010, however, he has not been allowed on the sidelines this season following his suspension.
Nash however faced the guillotine following a miserable start for the star-studded Nets which, has seen them slump to 2-5 record this far.
