NBA Rumors: 3 Teams Vetting Ime Udoka For Possible Coaching Hire

March 02, 2023


After sitting out this NBA season, Ime Udoka's name has come up once again for some potential coaching jobs. A new report has no less than three teams vetting Udoka for impending coaching openings.

Although he was serving a season-long suspension for off-court indiscretions, the former Boston Celtics head coach's name had already come up twice this NBA season, first in relation to the Brooklyn Nets' vacancy back in November, and then again, albeit briefly, with the Atlanta Hawks recent coaching change.  

Now that the Celtics have officially cut all ties with Udoka by hiring Joe Mazzulla full-time, Udoka is back on the market. This, according to Steve Bulpett of heavy.com:

With more clarity from the fact Udoka is officially out of the club’s plans rather than being on suspension, some NBA teams are now getting into the vetting process on the chance they might have an opening. People from three organizations have called here to discuss Udoka, with one looking for his phone number “in case we decide to do something. We just want to be ready.”

Udoka had a breakthrough year last season in his first head coaching job, leading the Celtics to 51 wins and then the NBA Finals. The shocking news of his suspension for violating team policies over an inappropriate sexual relationship hit the Celts like a ton of bricks last summer. (They've recovered just fine, thanks, and are neck-and-neck with the Milwaukee Bucks for top spot in the East this season).

While the Nets went the safer route with Jacque Vaughn, and the Hawks got their No. 1 choice Quin Snyder, Udoka is obviously squarely on the radar of several teams who will be making decisions about their coaching situations at the end of the season. 

Photo: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports



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