Woj: Ime Udoka Could Coach in NBA This Season After Nets' Jacque Vaughn Hire

Ime Udoka was not hired by the Brooklyn Nets, but he could return to a coaching job this season or next, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

"[Ime Udoka] will coach again in the NBA, he may coach as soon if not this season somewhere else next season," Wojnarowski said on NBA Today. "I think plenty of teams, just in preparation, have started to do their due diligence on the Udoka situation."

Udoka was suspended as head coach of the Boston Celtics for one year, with Wojnarowski reporting he used "crude language in his dialogue with a female subordinate prior to the start of an improper workplace relationship."

He was considered a "strong frontrunner" to replace Steve Nash as the Nets head coach, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, but Brooklyn instead hired Jacque Vaughn on Wednesday.

According to Charania, one of the reasons the Nets chose not to hire Udoka was "the outcry after word of their plan became known to people outside and inside the organization."

NBA reporter Marc Stein previously noted that "strong voices" urged Nets governor Joe Tsai to reconsider hiring Udoka.

Other teams could have similar blowback if they try to hire Udoka, although a smaller market outside of New York could create a different situation.

The 45-year-old has certainly proved himself as a quality coach on the court, leading the Celtics to an appearance in the NBA final during his first season. The squad went 51-31 during the regular season, good for second in a competitive Eastern Conference.

The defense was especially impressive, leading the NBA in defensive efficiency in 2021-22.

Udoka's resume could be enough to earn him a new job before long.