Celtics to hire Nets assistant Ime Udoka as head coach

The Boston Celtics are reportedly on the brink of hiring Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Ime Udoka as their new head coach.

The Boston Celtics have identified their new head coach.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Boston is finalizing an agreement to hire Ime Udoka to replace Brad Stevens.

Udoka served as an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets during the past season. He has also worked as an assistant for the 76ers and the Spurs for seven years.

The Boston Celtics are banking on Ime Udoka’s existing relationships

Wojnarowski had previously reported Ukoka as the top candidate for the Celtics job because of the strong impression he made on players while working with the U.S. national team.

Udoka has a strong history with Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who brought him along as an assistant for Team USA. Celtics players on the national team like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart gave Udoka “strong reviews.”

While he may not have the kind of profile other candidates boast, Udoka does have a strong resume. He played in the NBA and overseas from 2000 to 2012 after going undrafted out of Portland State.

He clearly garnered Popvich’s respect as a player because the head coach brought him in as an assistant coach soon after he retired from playing.

The fact that he already has respect from within the roster is a major plus.

The Celtics have undergone massive changes since the end of the season. President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge announced his retirement at the beginning of June. Then-head coach Brad Stevens was tapped to replace him in the front office.

Before the team had even settled on a head coach, Stevens made a splash by trading a heartbroken Kemba Walker and a first-round draft pick to the Thunder for Al Horford.