NBA Rumors: Former Warriors Coach Could Take Over Nets But Makes No Sense

The Brooklyn Nets find themselves in search of a new head coach after parting ways with Kenny Atkinson. The move was not spared from controversy with the names of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving floated as some of the reasons behind it.

Several names have been suggested, the first of which is Tyronn Lue. Currently serving as an assistant coach to the Los Angeles Clippers, Irving and Lue worked together with the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2016. Most know of course that the Cavs won the NBA title that year. Much of this was covered in a previous post.

Until the next head coach is named, Jacque Vaughn is calling the shots for the Brooklyn Nets. From the looks of it, he will be steering the Nets the rest of the way. Vaughn will have no easy task although they have already won back-to-back games as of this writing. But even more important is the fact that the Nets need to hold up with the Orlando Magic giving chase. With 19 games left, all Vaughn has to do is try to win as many games as possible for the Nets to make it to the next round.

With Durant and Irving out, the chances of the Nets are not looking that good. Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert are trying to hold up the fort but making it past the first round will be daunting. They are likely to face either the Milwaukee Bucks or the Toronto Raptors.

Whatever happens, the Nets could stick with Vaughn or interview a new head coach. If Lue is not the guy, the name of Mark Jackson has surfaced recently. According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News, Durant's agent Rick Kleiman is vouching for Jackson to be the Nets next head coach. Both he and Jackson have grown to be good friends but there are some issues that may arise along the way.

Ironically, the last team that Jackson coached was the Golden State Warriors back in 2014. He never crossed paths with Durant but the 54-year-old dealt with some dissension within the ranks. He had trouble getting along with his assistant coaches and had requisites that may not fit well with the Nets. Durant joined the Dubs in 2016.

Culture is important for Durant and NBC Sports claims that this was a probable reason why Atkinson was out. Jackson is a good coach but if he is unable to build the right culture in Brooklyn, seeing him end up as the team's next head coach is not looking so good.