The Brooklyn Nets were reportedly prepared to make a coaching change after the season ended, according to Frank Isola of The Athletic.

Instead, the Nets parted ways with head coach Kenny Atkinson on Saturday with 19 games left in the regular season:

So what changed during the season that Nets general manager Sean Marks decided to make the change now? There's 19 games left in the season, the Nets are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings and franchise stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are out.

Clearly, something happened behind the scenes where Marks and Atkinson decided it was best for both sides to move in a different direction. It's just strange to see the move happen now when the season is almost over.

Jacque Vaughn will assume take over from Atkinson as head coach for the remainder of the season. The Nets host the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

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