Fired Boston Celtics HC ‘could be a candidate for a number of jobs’ in offseason
Fired former Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka has already been linked to two head coaching vacancies since the conclusion of the NBA season on April 9 — including Houston’s and Detroit’s, which were vacated from Houston firing Stephen Silas and Dwayne Casey pivoting to the Pistons front office, respectively.
ESPN Sources: Among the prominent candidates in the Rockets' search will be former Celtics coach Ime Udoka, Golden State assistant Kenny Atkinson and former Lakers coach Frank Vogel. If Raptors coach Nick Nurse becomes available, he'll be a serious consideration too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 9, 2023
Casey will join Detroit's front office as the Pistons start a head coaching search. Bucks assistant Charles Lee and former Celtics coach Ime Udoka are expected to be among candidates for the Pistons job, sources say. https://t.co/sPmxLRXLrY
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 9, 2023
That prompted The Athletic’s Boston Celtics reporter Jay King to report that Udoka will be sought after by even more teams this offseason:
Ime Udoka could be a candidate for a number of jobs this summer. https://t.co/9tm6Iccwtp
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) April 9, 2023
Gregg Popovich wants Ime Udoka to get another chance after Boston Celtics firing
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich wants to see Udoka, who got his coaching start in San Antonio under Pop for the first seven years of his coaching career, get another chance after his Celtics tenure ended on scandalous terms.
“Ime was and is and always will be a great friend,” Popovich said in March (h/t MassLive). “You can imagine that I was deeply disappointed and hurt for him, for everybody involved. It’s a difficult situation for him and my hope is that he will bounce back and find a home.”
From the sounds of it, Popovich may get his wish. The Rockets and Pistons are among two teams that’d be in a better place as head coach. While the Nets considered him in November, the backlash was too strong. At this point, enough time has passed for Udoka to be seen for what he can do as a coach and not as a controversial lightning rod.