While the Brooklyn Nets were considered a potential NBA finals contender leading into the season, that quickly soured after Steve Nash agreed to part ways with the organization following a 2-5 start and several controversies surrounding the team and its players. Even with that, the team has somehow managed to turn into a true Eastern Conference contender under interim head coach Jacque Vaughn.
Even after trading both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant ahead of the league’s midseason trade deadline, the Nets have played some competitive basketball leading into the All-Star break. Brooklyn (34-24) is currently No. 5 in the Eastern Conference playoff rankings, having gone 5-5 in its last 10 games.
Vaughan has weathered a tumultuous storm that has included losing two of the sport’s best players and the ultimate end of a failed super team. That’s why it comes as no surprise that Vaughan will be shedding the interim title, reports NBA insider Adrain Wojnarowski of ESPN.
“Jacque Vaughn had shed the interim label earlier this season with a team option on next year — and now gets extended for multiple years past the 2023-2024 season, sources tell ESPN,” Wojnarowski wrote in a tweet.
Jacque Vaughn had shed the interim label earlier this season with a team option on next year — and now gets extended for multiple years past the 2023-2024 season, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/YE3Txda9xF
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 21, 2023
The NBA world reacted to the huge news of Vaughan’s impending contract extension on Twitter.
“Jacque Vaughn deserves this. Has handled the Brooklyn situation better than anyone else could and should be in the COTY conversation imo,” said Philly Sports Network’s Sean Barnard.
Jacque Vaughn deserves this. Has handled the Brooklyn situation better than anyone else could and should be in the COTY conversation imo
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) February 21, 2023
“Well deserved contract extension for Jacque Vaughn. Gives him a legitimate chance — one he’s earned — to mold a young team into a title contender and oversee the retool in Brooklyn hands on,” said NY Daily News’ Kristian Winfield.
Well deserved contract extension for Jacque Vaughn. Gives him a legitimate chance — one he’s earned — to mold a young team into a title contender and oversee the retool in Brooklyn hands on.
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) February 21, 2023
“I’m really happy for Jacque Vaughn,” said NBA writer Kevin Smith. “I thought he should have gotten the job after the work he did in the bubble. Also felt like he got a rough deal in Orlando too, as the team was rebuilding, but didn’t really have the patience back then to see it all the way through.”
I'm really happy for Jacque Vaughn. I thought he should have gotten the job after the work he did in the bubble. Also felt like he got a rough deal in Orlando too, as the team was rebuilding, but didn't really have the patience back then to see it all the way through.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 21, 2023
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.