Reports: Ime Udoka has emerged as candidate for Atlanta Hawks head coaching job
Ime Udoka is expected to be one of the most highly sought-out head coaches available on the market this summer. The Atlanta Hawks, who fired Nate McMillan on Tuesday, will reportedly consider the former Boston Celtics head coach for the position, according to NBA correspondent Marc Stein.
"Among the candidates being considered for the Hawks' coaching vacancy, league sources say, is former Celtics coach Ime Udoka."
Stein shared more information on other potential coaching candidates for the Hawks, adding:
"Ex-Jazz coach Quin Snyder is the only candidate that the Hawks have publicly acknowledged interest in as a potential full-time replacement for Nate McMillan. Bucks assistant coach Charles Lee has also been mentioned frequently in league coaching circles as a potential target."
Ime Udoka spent one season as the head coach of the Boston Celtics, leading them to a trip to the NBA Finals. Following the season, the team suspended Udoka for the entire 2022-23 season for having an intimate relationship with a female staff member.
The team promoted interim head coach Joe Mazzulla last week, giving him the title of head coach and ending Udoka's time with the franchise. It is unclear if he will become the Atlanta Hawks' top candidate for their coaching vacancy. However, there will likely be multiple teams interested.
Check out Marc Stein's tweets below:
Among the candidates being considered for the Hawks' coaching vacancy, league sources say, is former Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com
Ex-Jazz coach Quin Snyder is the only candidate that the Hawks have publicly acknowledged interest in as a potential full-time replacement for Nate McMillan.
Bucks assistant coach Charles Lee has also been mentioned frequently in league coaching circles as a potential target. twitter.com/TheSteinLine/s…
How did Ime Udoka fare in his lone season as a head coach?
While Ime Udoka's time with the Boston Celtics ended unceremoniously, his lone year with the franchise was quite successful. Despite starting the season 18-21, the Celtics were able to go on a 33-10 run to end the season, finishing with a 51-31 record as they bagged the Eastern Conference's second seed. Udoka was awarded Eastern Conference Coach of the Month honors in both February and March.
The Celtics were able to sweep the Brooklyn Nets and defeat the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat in seven games each en route to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2009-2010. While they lost the series in six games, Udoka's abilities as an NBA head coach were acknowledged as he finished fourth in the NBA Coach of the Year voting.
Despite being suspended by the Celtics, Udoka received interest from the Brooklyn Nets earlier this season. The Nets were reportedly pressured by the league into looking elsewhere to fill their head coaching vacancy. However, with Udoka no longer tied to a franchise, he is likely to be back on the sideline in 2023-24.