The Brooklyn Nets have announced that they are hiring former Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford as a coaching consultant, according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews. Per Andrews, Clifford was the most sought-after assistant coach during this summer’s hiring cycle, and he’ll report to the Nets periodically throughout the next season.
Part of the rationale behind Clifford’s hiring centers around his close relationship with Nets head coach Steve Nash. Nash and Clifford worked together in 2012-13, when Nash was a point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, and Clifford was an assistant coach for the franchise.
In addition, one of the Brooklyn’s premier assistant coaches—Mike D’Antoni, renowned as a head coach in his own right—stepped away from the organization after this past season, citing a desire to be hired as a head coach for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Meanwhile, former assistant coach Ime Udoka had been hired as the next head coach of the Boston Celtics.
The Nets add Steve Clifford as a coaching consultant. pic.twitter.com/gGlBO0qJ9f
— theScore (@theScore) August 11, 2021
Clifford is not the only coach the Nets have added to their organization this offseason, as former Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach Brian Keefe and former Minnesota Timberwolves associate head coach David Vanterpool joining Nash’s coaching staff this offseason as well.
With the Nets amassing as much talent and experience on their coaching staff as any team has, and hosting a collection of some of the league’s preeminent stars, Brooklyn has a phenomenal opportunity to deliver their first championship in franchise history.
