The Brooklyn Nets stunned the basketball world when they announced Kenny Atkinson and the franchise were mutually parting ways, and Jacque Vaughn would serve as the team’s head coach for the rest of 2019-20.
Multiple reports indicate the decision was made on Friday and that some of the players had a hand in the process.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting Atkinson had multiple conversations with Nets general manager Sean Marks and “the sense had been that a change was inevitable and both sides decided that there was no sense waiting on it.” Woj also added, “both had felt that Atkinson and Nets had run course together.”
Sean Marks and Atkinson had several conversations and the sense had been that a change was inevitable and both sides decided that there was no sense waiting on it. Both had felt that Atkinson and Nets had run course together. They have maintained a close relationship.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 7, 2020
Nets governor Joe Tsai took to Twitter to thank Atkinson following the news:
I am extremely grateful to Kenny Atkinson for what he’s done for our franchise over the years. If we did not have him, we would not be where we are with promising young guys still improving. All the best Kenny.
Twitter also featured reactions from two former Nets players who playing under Atkinson in Brooklyn: Jared Dudley and D’Angelo Russel.
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— D'Angelo Russell (@Dloading) March 7, 2020
Suffice it say things have changed a bit since Dudley and D-Lo left.