“The NBA wouldn't have stopped the Nets from hiring Ime Udoka” - Brian Windhorst highlights probable cause for Brooklyn Nets not opting for Udoka as head coach

It was reported that the Brooklyn Nets had an interest in hiring Ime Udoka as a replacement for Steve Nash. NBA analyst Brian Windhorst said that the Nets perhaps realized the problems they would inherit if they signed the former Boston Celtics head coach.

Nash, through mutual agreement, stopped being the coach on Nov. 1. Shortly after, it was reported that the Nets got permission from the Celtics to hire Udoka.

There were no updates on that front since the initial report. Nonetheless, there were mixed feelings regarding the news.

Stephen A. Smith was rooting for Udoka and expressed his disappointment that the deal did not go through.

On "Keyshawn, JWill, and Max," Windhorst gave an insight into what the Brooklyn Nets might have considered before deciding to steer clear of Udoka. He highlighted that the Nets would have had some explaining to do:

"The reality is this, Ime Udoka essentially has what the NCAA would be like a show cause penalty. Any team that would hire Ime Udoka imports all of the potential issues with the Ime Udoka too now becomes your problem.

"You can hire a coach in the NCAA with the show cause, you got to tell the NCAA that you understand what you're doing and you will accept all of this. All of the stuff that comes with it. And that's kind of where the NBA was."

Windhorst added:

"The NBA wouldn't have stopped the Nets from hiring Ime Udoka. But the NBA definitely said to them, 'Hey, will you explain this to us for a minute?' And I think there were enough people that were saying, 'Wait a minute, do you understand what you're doing here? Do you fully get it?'

"And that is just a reality when you're trying to hire something and that something so complex in this tight window. And so while they're dealing with this potential show cause issue that I've decided to call it, you've got Jacque Vaughn sort of refreshing the team and they're playing well."

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The Brooklyn Nets have promoted Jacque Vaughn from interim to head coach

Head coach Jacque Vaughn of the Brooklyn Nets.

Upon Nash's exit, Jacque Vaughn was promoted to interim head coach, pending when the front office found a replacement. However, the Nets recently removed the interim tag and offered Vaughn a deal until 2024.

The decision to offer Vaughn a permanent position came after his impressive run with the team. Although he lost his first game in charge, he has won three of his past four.

As head coach, Vaughn led the team to an emphatic victory over the New York Knicks. Their next game is against the LA Clippers on Nov. 12.

Coincidentally, the Nets' impressive run has been without Kyrie Irving. The former NBA champion is currently serving a suspension for his actions related to an antisemitic documentary.

The Brooklyn Nets released a list of conditions he needs to meet before he is allowed to play with the team. The All-Star guard is playing potentially his last season with the Nets as he will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.