Former Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks yesterday in exchange for two second round draft picks. The Nets organization wasted no time in searching for his successor, as it has been reported that Lionel Hollins accepted a multi-year deal.
On Wednesday morning, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein that the Nets were finalizing a contract with the former Memphis Grizzlies head coach that will pay him in excess of $4 million per year. Last season Hollins took the year off in hopes of receiving a head coaching job offer. Interestingly enough, he rejected an opportunity that would have made him the assistant to Jason Kidd after some changes were made in the Nets' coaching staff last season.
From 2010-2013 Hollins served as the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, where the team's winning percentage improved each year, culminating in a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2013 against the San Antonio Spurs. But at the end of the season, the Grizzlies and Hollins agreed to part ways due to philosophical differences and his contract was not renewed. It was bizarre that the new owners of the Grizzlies organization weren't willing to offer Hollins a new contract after a 56-26 record and the franchise's first ever trip to the Western Conference Finals.
But now Hollins has found a new home in Brooklyn. He'll have plenty of work to do with the Nets roster (with the loss of Shaun Livingston and potentially unrestricted free agent Paul Pierce) and its unique diverse set of players.
"One, I think we're looking for experience, someone we'll build with for a long time," said Billy King, the general manager of the Brooklyn Nets, in this ESPN article. "Someone who can develop young players, develop veterans and have a tough mindset. But someone also who has the experience who can take us to where we want to go."
Hollins was also considered for the Los Angeles Lakers coaching position recently, but a deal never came to fruition. The Houston Rockets offered the former head coach an opportunity to become the top assistant on their coaching staff under Kevin McHale. A tough offer to refuse, Hollins declined because he believed he would be pursued for a head coaching position. As soon as talked flared up about Jason Kidd possibly leaving Brooklyn, Hollins' name was tossed into the mix.
After meetings with King on Monday and Tuesday, it appears the two sides expressed mutual interest as the contract was agreed upon just a few hours ago. You can read more about Hollins and the Brooklyn Nets in this ESPN article.
