NBA Rumors: Knicks’ Johnnie Bryant Linked as Potential Nets HC Candidate

Andrew PetersApril 5, 2024

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As the Brooklyn Nets continue their search for a new head coach after Jacque Vaughn was fired in February, a possible candidate could be right across the East River.

Per Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, New York Knicks associate head coach Johnnie Bryant has been linked as a possible replacement for the Nets.

“Knicks assistant Johnnie Bryant has been another name presented as a potential first-time head coaching candidate in Brooklyn, sources said,” Fischer wrote.

It would be Bryant’s first head coaching position after a decade serving as an assistant. His coaching career began in 2012 when he was hired by the Utah Jazz as a player development assistant. He was promoted to assistant coach in Utah before taking the job in New York in 2020.

Bryant has found success in both of his coaching jobs so far, helping lead the Jazz to the playoffs four times during his tenure and guiding New York to the playoffs twice so far with a third appearance on the way.

Bryant has an impressive developmental background as well, coaching at Bryant Sports Academy before his time in the NBA. There, he helped develop players like former NBA forward Paul Millsap and Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard.

While serving as a development assistant with the Jazz, Bryant coached young players like Gordon Hayword and Rudy Gobert who went on to stardom in the league.

Having worked with veteran head coach Quinn Snyder in Utah and Tom Thibodeau in New York, Bryant has learned from some of the greats and now could have his chance to lead a team of his own in Brooklyn.

The Nets have had a coaching carousel over the past four seasons with three different head coaches since the 2019-20 season. Brooklyn parted ways with Kenny Atkinson in 2020 after early-season struggles, hiring Steve Nash ahead of the 2020-21 season. Nash remained the head coach until November 2022, when he was let go amid the team’s struggles.

Vaughn took over after Nash’s tenure and managed to lead the Nets to the playoffs, but he was fired in February when it became apparent Brookyln was far from a playoff contender.

Now, the Nets are looking for the next head coach and one that will stick around for more than a season. It seems Bryant could be the person for the job.