In his lone season as head coach of the Boston Celtics, Ime Udoka led the team to the Eastern Conference championship. After the season, he was suspended by the Celtics for an improper relationship with a subordinate employee in the organization. Now, he may be on his way back to coaching.
The Atlanta Hawks are looking to replace the recently fired Nate McMillan. Udoka is reportedly one of the candidates for the job.
NBA Insider Marc Stein reported about Atlanta’s interest in Udoka on Wednesday.
Among the candidates being considered for the Hawks' coaching vacancy, league sources say, is former Celtics coach Ime Udoka.
More NBA from me: https://t.co/A6ycVmnrjq
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 23, 2023
As would be expected, the reaction to this news was mixed. Udoka has his supporters as well as people who don’t think it would be a good idea.
TURN IT UP!!!!! https://t.co/1qEZUpqoUJ
— 🚏 (@atlcopo) February 23, 2023
This, uh, seems to go against the “character” qualifier GM Landry Fields spoke about in the last 24 hours.
As a reminder, Udoka was dismissed for 1) having inappropriate relationships within the Celtics org and 2) making untoward comments toward at least one of those women. https://t.co/W4nYETt4Ap
— Wes (@bloghawk) February 23, 2023
https://twitter.com/ATLhawksfan__/status/1628566235821576195
Not sure this would be the best idea… https://t.co/X28ElppEnb
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) February 23, 2023
— Reggie Chatman Jr. (@ReggieChatman) February 23, 2023
Some questions would have to be answered about Udoka.
First, when would he start? Joe Prunty has already been named as Atlanta’s interim coach. But would Udoka take over immediately, or wait until the end of the season?
Two, if it’s effective immediately, would the NBA consider his suspension from Boston? Udoka was suspended for a year by the Celtics, with Joe Mazzulla taking over as an interim coach. That year has not passed. But Boston recently severed ties with Udoka and Mazzulla became the full-time head coach. Would the NBA expect the Hawks to honor the Celtics’ suspension, or would Udoka no longer being a part of the organization effectively bring a premature end to the suspension?
At 29-30, Atlanta currently holds the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. A play-in spot feels likely, as the Hawks are 3.5 games behind the No. 6 seeded New York Knicks and three ahead of the present No. 11 seed, the Chicago Bulls.
