The Brooklyn Nets parted ways with Kenny Atkinson in March. Rumors reveal that stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving weren't seeing eye to eye with the former coach. As of this writing, the Nets are still scouting for a replacement. But in the latest rumor involving the Nets, both stars seem to have a liking for Tom Thibodeau.

Per Marc Berman of the New York Post, sources reveal that both Durant and Irving “like and respect” Thibodeau. To recall, Thibodeau worked with them in Team USA as an assistant.

“Kevin’s a basketball junkie, he loves him,’’ one NBA source familiar with the situation said. “Great players want to be coached, except the lazy ones. If they think the coach has a higher basketball IQ than them, they’re all in.’’

Thibodeau's last coaching job was with the Minnesota Timberwolves. After serving as both head coach and president of basketball operations from 2016 to 2019, he was fired by the organization.

Though he hasn't had a coaching post in more than a year, reports reveal that he still remains close to the game. He has spent practices with the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and Boston Celtics.

While there's a good reason to believe that Thibodeau might be the next Nets head coach, it's not just the Brooklyn squad who might be interested in the 62-year-old's services. New York Knicks president Leon Rose has reportedly placed Tom Thibodeau on his shortlist of coaches. The Houston Rockets, too, seem to be eyeing Thibodeau as a replacement for Mike D'Antoni —who's set to be a free agent.

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