Report: Ime Udoka Finalizing Contract to Replace Brad Stevens as Celtics HC
The Boston Celtics appear to have their new head coach.
The team is "finalizing an agreement" to hire Ime Udoka, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, with the former Brooklyn Nets assistant poised to step into the position vacated by Brad Stevens earlier this month.
Udoka has spent the last nine years as an NBA assistant, seven under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio before one-season stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and Nets.
Wojnarowski reported Udoka's experience as an assistant coach was something Stevens valued.
The 43-year-old has long been considered an up-and-coming coach in the NBA, and he has worked with many talented playoff rosters. The native of Portland, Oregon, was part of the Spurs' 2014 NBA championship staff.
It's been a time of upheaval for the Celtics. Longtime president of basketball operations Danny Ainge stepped down, and Stevens left the role of head coach to replace Ainge.
That followed a disappointing 36-36 season that ended as the Nets knocked the Celtics out of the first round of the playoffs in five games. However, Jaylen Brown was injured late in the season and didn't appear in the postseason.
A team with Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker was expected to play above .500 basketball. Injuries did hamper the C's during the season, but it became obvious that significant changes were needed.
Udoka's hiring will be one of them. Roster adjustments will be expected as well, with Tatum and Brown the core Boston will be expected to build around. Stevens will have his work cut out for him, but his first major decision has been made.
