Steve Nash will not continue to lead the bench for the Brooklyn Nets. According to the journalist ESPNAdrian Wojnarowski, the franchise and the coach have mutually agreed to terminate the contract that linked both parties since the beginning of September 2020.
Since then, Nash, in what has been his first experience in the NBA as a head coach, compiled an overall balance of 94 wins and 67 losses. However, the Nets were only able to get through one round of the playoffs despite having very strong rosters led by Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. Of course, numerous injuries, health and safety protocols and extra-sports problems have shaken the franchise since his arrival.
Nash’s future was already in question this summer when Durant asked to be traded. In a meeting with team owner Joe Tsai to try to work out their differences, the star forward went further, expressing his lack of trust in Nash and Marks and calling for both to be fired.
Nash tried to smooth things over with Durant and shared with reporters at the half-day that their relationship was solid. However, the team’s inception has led to a growing realization that some sort of change had to be made, and management have opted to start with the coach, the weakest link.
In any case, Nash has not been able to squeeze the team and his qualities as head coach have been constantly pointed out. Thus, both parties have decided that it is best to separate their paths after the Nets have started the season with a 2-5 record and very bad feelings.
For now, Jacque Vaughn will take over the bench as interim head coach. Of course, the first candidates have not taken long to transcend the press. According to Wojnarowski and Shams Charania, Ime Udoka and Quin Snyder could be strong contenders for the job.
(Cover photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
