Nets clean house, fire Lionel Hollins, reassign Billy King

The Brooklyn Nets have made major changes, firing head coach Lionel Hollins and reassigning general manager Billy King to a lesser role within the organization.

Assistant coach Tony Brown will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season, with the general manager role remaining vacant until a full-time GM is hired.

“After careful consideration, I’ve concluded that it’s time for a fresh start and a new vision for the direction of the team,” Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said in a team statement. “By making this decision now, it enables our organization to use the rest of the season to diligently evaluate candidates with proven track records. It’s clear from our current state of affairs that we need new leadership. With the right basketball management and coach in place, we are going to create a winning culture and identity and give Brooklyn a team that it can be proud of and enjoy watching. We have learned a great deal during the past six years and our experiences will guide us for the future. Following the consolidation of team ownership last month, I can assure you that I’m more determined and committed than ever to build a winner.”

King had been the team’s GM since July of 2010. Hollins had accumulated a 48-71 record over a season and a half as Nets coach, taking them to the playoffs last season. The Nets are just 10-27 this season.

The fact is, the Nets have had significant problems building a winner as part of their big rebranding process that included a move to the Barclays Center, and those problems start above the GM. They need a big hire, and it looks like they’re targeting it with the appointment of an interim coach until the offseason. Perhaps they’ll be targeting a certain high-profile collegiate coach during the summer?