Let's Set Odds: Who Will Be the Nets' Next Head Coach?
UPDATE: The Brooklyn Nets reportedly plan to hire Ime Udoka as their next head coach, moving their NBA Championship odds to +1300 at FanDuel.
The Brooklyn Nets plan to hire Ime Udoka as their new head coach, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Boston granted the Nets permission to speak to Udoka and will allow him to leave freely, sources said. https://t.co/lFeHY8hUiS
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 1, 2022
After a summer-long power struggle with Kevin Durant, Steve Nash and Joe Tsai – as well as a 2-5 start to the season – the Nets have parted ways with Nash.
Nash went 94-67 as the head coach of the Nets, coaching them to two playoff appearances and one playoff series win.
The Nets fired Steve Nash, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 1, 2022
Durant had called for Nash’s job in the summer, but Tsai opted to go into the season standing pat. However, with a poor start and a championship window closing by the day, a move needed to be made to revive hope in Brooklyn.
Jacque Vaughn will be the interim head coach, but the Nets are expected to interview plenty of candidates to have the full-time role.
With the search about to begin, let’s set odds for who will be the Nets’ next head coach.
Odds for Nets Next Coach
Ime Udoka (+150)
Udoka was an assistant coach in Brooklyn prior to leading the Celtics to the Finals last season. Although he is suspended by the Celtics, Boston has said that it wouldn’t stand in the way of Udoka getting another job.
He's also the reported "strong frontrunner" via The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Ime Udoka has emerged as a strong frontrunner to be the next Brooklyn Nets head coach and the sides have begun discussions, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Nets are in the midst of their search process and are continuing to do due diligence.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 1, 2022
Due to his history with the organization, Udoka provides some sense of continuity and has shown the ability to open a championship window with high-level players. If Boston truly won’t stand in the way, Brooklyn’s first call will likely be Udoka.
Jacque Vaughn (+400)
While it’s probably unlikely that Kevin Durant wants any part of Steve Nash’s resume to continue having control over the team, there is a chance that Vaughn could succeed and turn the Nets’ season around. Brooklyn has had a tough schedule to open the season. If the Nets can go on a run or even have decent playoff success, Vaughn will have first hand experience that could lead him to this job.
Quinn Snyder (+600)
All the speculation around Snyder has been that he’s waiting to be the next coach of the San Antonio Spurs. However, if the opportunity to coach Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving comes calling, it might be hard to turn that down.
Snyder, while the Jazz were devoid of championship success, led Utah to plenty of winning. Right now, he would provide stability and a proven voice that Brooklyn can trust and follow.
Mike D’Antoni (+850)
D’Antoni stepped down as one of Steve Nash’s assistants at the end of the 2020-21 season, but a reunion could always be in the works. If D’Antoni wants to get back on the sidelines and run things himself, the Nets could be a good spot for him to step him, have elite talent and run a high-powered offense into the playoffs.
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.