JOE TSAI WANTS ‘FULL-SCALE’ COACH SEARCH

Shams Charania reports that the Nets will soon begin their long-delayed head coaching search and notes that Joe Tsai “wants a full-scale head coaching process to identify the best partner for team ownership, the front office, coaching staff and players.”

As has been widely reported, Jacque Vaughn is seen as “a significant candidate,” but Charania also lists a number of external candidates...

Several external candidates have emerged for the job, according to league sources: Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd, Philadelphia 76ers assistant Ime Udoka, LA Clippers assistant Ty Lue and former Rockets and Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy.

Kidd, Lue and Van Gundy have all been mentioned previously. Although Kidd and the Nets had a celebrated break-up in 2014 when he lost a power struggle with Billy King, the Nets ownership and front office have had a near complete turnover since then. Kidd is now an assistant coach for the Lakers. Lue, of course, took the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals three years, winning it all in 2016 when Kyrie Irving playing the Game 7 hero.

Van Gundy hasn’t coached in the NBA in 13 years, but he has coached Team USA in recent FIBA competitions. In recent commentary during “bubble” games, JVG has been complimentary of the Nets organization ... and said the team should be seeking “layers of players” rather than a “third star”

Ime Udoka, who the Nets waived in 2011 after a training camp stint, has longstanding ties to Sean Marks. The two were assistant coaches on the Spurs 2014 NBA championship team. He has also been rumored as a top candidate for the Bulls job ... if it opens up. Last year, he jumped to the 76ers bench under Brett Brown (who also came out of the Spurs coaching tree).

Other external candidates may yet emerge, Shams noted, as teams evaluate their own coaching needs.

Of Vaughn, Shams writes...

His calm temperament in coaching, ability to make adjustments and relationship with the current players has been evident to those around the team, which has rallied around him in the restart.

• Shams: New details, candidates emerge in Nets head coaching job search - Shams Charania - The Athletic NBA
• Sources: Tyronn Lue to Be Leading Candidate for Several Head Coaching Jobs - Chris Mannix - Sports Illustrated
• Vaughn reduced to candidate in Nets’ coaching search - John Torenli - Brooklyn Eagle