Billy King puts rumors to rest: 'Lionel Hollins is our coach'

Brooklyn Nets GM Billy King told Sarah Kustok of the YES Network on Tuesday night that head coach Lionel Hollins is "not on the hot seat." They have no intention, at the moment, of firing Hollins.

King was reacting to a report in the Russian media, in which a reporter said that the Nets were looking for a replacement for Hollins. In addition, Fran Blinebury of NBA.com had recently written of Hollins vulnerability as well.

As Andy Vasquez writes:

"It’s funny because I think the report said it was management," King said. "And I’m management so there was no truth to that. Lionel and I are working hard every day. We’re discussing possibilities, things we can do on the court, off the court. I’ve talked to ownership and right now, Lionel is our coach and we’re working to try to turn this around."

King also said that the team is exploring its options, when it comes to making trades.

"We’re going to explore options out there and look and see if there’s other players if we need to make a deal to bring guys in," King said on the YES Network pregame show. "But we’re going to give this group a chance until we can find another option."

Nothing is imminent, but of course the injury to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson could change things for the Nets over the next 8-10 weeks.  The Nets have two trade exceptions, with values of $3.4 million and $900,000, which expire later this week.

• Billy King: Hollins isnt’ on the hot seat; Trades could be on the horizon - Andy Vasquez - The Record
• Billy King: Trades could come soon, Lionel Hollins safe - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
• If Lionel Hollins Goes, Billy King Should Follow Out Nets’ Door - Steve Lichtenstein - CBS New York