Jason Kidd is still the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, but if he ends up in Milwaukee, it sounds like the Nets already have some replacements in mind.
Lionel Hollins (pictured) and George Karl have been described as serious candidates for the job if Kidd leaves/is traded to the Bucks. Mark Jackson has also been named as a coach being considered for the job.
ESPN described Hollins as a “very serious candidate” for the job. They also say Jackson’s name came up and that the Nets are interested in Karl.
USA Today’s Sam Amick reports that Karl and Hollins would be seriously considered for the job but a source downplayed the likelihood of Jackson being seriously considered.
Hollins and Karl would be excellent coaches for the Nets.
Hollins, 60, went 214-201 over four and a half seasons as coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. He led them to the playoffs three times, where they won three playoff series. He was fired after the 2012-2013 season despite helping the team reach the conference finals.
Karl, 63, is one of the best and most respected coaches in the profession. He has a career .599 winning percentage and was recently the coach of the Denver Nuggets for nine seasons. He previously coached the Milwaukee Bucks and before that, the Seattle SuperSonics, whom he led to the NBA Finals in ’95-’96.
Neither Hollins nor Karl coached last season after being fired following the previous season. Jackson was fired after the season despite leading the Warriors to their second straight playoff berth. He reportedly had disagreements with the team’s ownership and management.
Kidd did a nice job with the Nets, but it sure seems like he wants out. Either Karl or Hollins would be great replacements.
