NBA Rumors Roundup: Ime Udoka favorite to replace Steve Nash, Deandre Ayton could return early, and more
The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly set to name a new NBA coach when they officially sign suspended Boston Celtics shot-caller Ime Udoka. Boston will supposedly let Udoka go if the Nets decide he will be their next coach.
The Phoenix Suns' starting center, Deandre Ayton, could return to action sooner than expected. He previously sprained his ankle against the New Orleans Pelicans and missed the team’s past two games.
If the Brooklyn Nets try to move NBA star Kyrie Irving, teams may not be interested in acquiring the mercurial point guard. Irving is in the final year of his contract and the Nets could trade him for some value.
Suspended NBA coach Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics could replace the recently fired Steve Nash in Brooklyn
Barely an hour after the news of Steve Nash's firing broke, there were already reports suggesting that the Brooklyn Nets will try to get Ime Udoka. Nash’s former assistant with the Nets is undergoing a season-long suspension with the Boston Celtics after breaking franchise rules.
Adrian Wojnarowski had this to say about Udoka’s imminent hiring:
“Suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka has emerged as the likely next Brooklyn Nets head coach and his hiring could be finalized as soon as the next 24-to-48 hours, sources tell ESPN. Celtics will let him leave for another job.”
Suspended Celtics coach Ime Udoka has emerged as the likely next Brooklyn Nets head coach and his hiring could be finalized as soon as the next 24-to-48 hours, sources tell ESPN. Celtics will let him leave for another job.
Questions about how the Celtics will react were answered by Chris Haynes' post:
“The Boston Celtics will not seek compensation from the Brooklyn Nets and will allow Ime Udoka to move on, league sources tell @NBAonTNT.”
The Boston Celtics will not seek compensation from the Brooklyn Nets and will allow Ime Udoka to move on, league sources tell @NBAonTNT.
This opens the door for Udoka to return to Brooklyn and try to turn around an embattled franchise whose biggest weakness is on defense. In just one season with Boston, the former NBA veteran turned the Celtics’ defense into the best in the league.
Phoenix Suns' Deandre Ayton could return to action sooner than expected
Rising NBA big man Deandre Ayton sprained his foot in the first quarter of the game between the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans. He then missed his team’s next two matches as he recovered from the injury.
The Suns will remain at home for their next two games. Ayton will have three more days to get ready for their next game after winning against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Without one of the NBA’s best emerging stars, the Suns have relied on Bismack Biyombo and Jock Landale in their past two games. Both are decent on both ends of the floor but are nowhere near Deandre Ayton’s skills and caliber.
Deandre Ayton back early?
He's out tonight with left ankle sprain bur could be back before end of six-game homestand.
#Suns play #Blazers in back-to-back Friday and Saturday. https://t.co/n022uCZ56v
The Suns went 18-6 last season without Ayton in the lineup. They are, however, a little short-handed as Jae Crowder continues to sit while waiting to be traded. The Suns’ starting center looked good in his warmups and could see action in Phoenix’s next game.
An Anonymous NBA executive claims no team will be interested in Kyrie Irving if the Brooklyn Nets try to trade him
Kyrie Irving has grabbed the headlines yet again for another of his almost endless off-court dramas. The mercurial point guard caught the ire of basketball fans worldwide for posting a link on Twitter about a film adaptation of a book that made anti-Semitic claims.
The NBA, NBPA, Brooklyn Nets and even Nets owner Joe Tsai have already expressed their disagreement regarding Irving’s post. Other than that, he hasn’t been suspended or fined for a transgression that many found simply too appalling.
Steve Popper of Newsday had this to say on what the market could look like for the NBA’s most divisive superstar:
“As long as the Nets are making moves, maybe it's time to part ways with the expiring contract that they will never extend. Talked to a few execs around the league who would not touch Kyrie. I can think of one who might take the chance - if not, pull the bandaid off.”
As long as the Nets are making moves, maybe it's time to part ways with the expiring contract that they will never extend. Talked to a few execs around the league who would not touch Kyrie. I can think of one who might take the chance - if not, pull the bandaid off.
Before the loss to the Chicago Bulls, where Kyrie Irving scored only four points, he has been playing well this season on the offensive end. He’s averaging 26.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 38.6 minutes per contest. The Brooklyn Nets, however, are only 2-6 to start their season.