The Brooklyn Nets are completing contract extensions with head coach Kenny Atkinson and his coaching staff, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
ESPN Sources: Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson and his staff completing contract extensions with franchise. https://t.co/gerrNm8iyI
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 2, 2019
Atkinson overtook a struggling Nets franchise looking for a long-term coaching solution prior to the 2016-17 season. The third-year coach has led the team to improvements in each season, progressing from 20 wins in 2016-17 to 28 wins in 2017-18. This season, the Nets have eclipsed even the most optimistic projections for the team, as they currently have 39 wins and counting and are looking to make their first playoff appearance since 2014-15.
Prior to being hired as head coach of the Nets, Atkinson served as an assistant for the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and Atlanta Hawks. The 51-year-old has seen more success than his peers before him, as the Nets saw five coaches come on and go in the same number of years.
Fortunately for the franchise, Atkinson and the roster have grown and matured together. Young prospects Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, and All-Star D’Angelo Russell have all blossomed into NBA-level starters during their time under Atkinson.
General manager Sean Marks likely won’t be far behind in line for an extension of his own, as both him and Atkinson were given four-year contracts in 2016. Marks has done a terrific job building a Brooklyn Nets team that has just now fully paid their debts from the infamous Paul Pierce-Kevin Garnett trade of 2013.
