The Brooklyn Nets and head coach Steve Nash have mutually agreed to part ways according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The decision comes after a 2-5 start to the season. Nash was in his third year as leader of the Nets locker room and had a record of 94 -67 during his tenure.
Jacque Vaughn will take over as interim head coach, as the Nets are scheduled to take on the Chicago Bulls tonight. However, Brooklyn will look at other head coaching candidates to take over his role in the future.
Decision was mutual with Nets and Nash, per sources.
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Could Sean Marks Be Next To Go?
Nets general manager Sean Marks hired Nash to replace former head coach Kenny Atkinson in 2021. Ironically, Atkinson and the Nets also mutually agreed to part ways when they split that year. Despite his impressive regular season record Nash often struggled to have success in the playoffs, highlighted by the Nets getting swept out of the first of the playoffs by the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics.
With Nash officially out of the picture, it leaves the mind to wonder if Marks could be the next domino to fall. Back in July, Brandon “Scoop B’ Robinson of Bally Sports, said the Nets parting ways with their current head coach would also mean losing their general manager Sean Marks, who has been the catalyst of their rise back to the top.
“I think that in this situation, Steve Nash and Sean Marks are packaged deals, and so you can’t have one way or the other,” Robinson said on Sirius XM Radio with Rick Kamla and Antonio Daniels on July 13.
Durant Wanted Nash Fired During Offseason
While Nash getting fired is breaking news, it is not shocking. In fact, This isn’t even the first time the move was suggested this year. For those who may not know, amid his trade request over the summer, Nets star Kevin Durant met with owner Joe Tsai to offer him a strong ultimatum regarding his future with the franchise. Either general manager Sean Marks and head coach Steve Nash be fired, or he would carry out his trade request.
“In a face-to-face meeting with Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai over the weekend, All-NBA star Kevin Durant reiterated his trade request and informed Tsai that he needs to choose between Durant or the pairing of general manager Sean Marks and coach Steve Nash, sources tell The Athletic,” Charania wrote in August. “Durant stated he does not have faith in the team’s direction, sources said.
Durant agreed to return to the Nets with Nash and Marks remaining in their roles.
Nash was given the Nets’ head coaching job, despite not having any coaching experience on his resume. Not even as an assistant. Coaching was a clear problem that Brooklyn needed to address. But be clear, Nash being relieved of his duties is not the end of the Nets’ issues.
Ben Simmons will miss his second straight game with knee soreness when the Nets take on the Chicago Bulls in their next game. In addition, point guard Seth Curry still has not made his season debut, despite having corrective surgery on his ankle during the offseason. Firing Nash is a step in the right direction, but the Nets aren’t out of the woods.
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Nets Make Final Call on Steve Nash’s Future