Nets and Head Coach Kenny Atkinson Reportedly Agree to Mutually Part Ways
By Jerry Trotta
It would appear that the Brooklyn Nets' braintrust will not allow head coach Kenny Atkinson the opportunity to showcase his coaching ceiling with a fully healthy and revamped roster.
On Saturday morning, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Nets and Atkinson have mutually agreed to part ways in a truly stunning development.
The Nets are mutually parting ways with coach Kenny Atkinson, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 7, 2020
Brooklyn clearly had lofty expectations for Atkinson after a pleasantly surprising 42-40 campaign last year, where the team claimed the No. 6 seed in a highly-competitive Eastern Conference.
However, Atkinson simply wasn't able to overcome to the injuries to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant this time around. Through 62 contests this season, the Nets are a shocking 28-34. The team has lost five of its last seven games and two of those defeats have been by more than 23 points, including a 39-point drubbing at home against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Despite holding the No. 7 seed in the East, the franchise's front office clearly felt as though it was time to move in a new direction.
Jacque Vaughn will serve as the interim coach for the Nets. Kenny Atkinson is out. https://t.co/LxYGFSAQbu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2020
Fellow insider, Shams Charania of The Athletic, has chimed in to reveal that assistant Jacque Vaughn will serve as the Nets' interim coach as the organization works to find a permanent replacement for Atkinson.