Ime Udoka immediately popped out as the lone candidate to replace Steve Nash not long after the Brooklyn Nets fired him. At this point, however, the Nets have yet to make their decision, despite previous reports indicating that the Udoka hiring was already a done deal.

According to ESPN's NBA insider Ramona Shelburne, the reason behind the delay is the fact that the Nets are still vetting Udoka amid his season-long suspension with the Boston Celtics (h/t ClutchPoints on Twitter):

“They're still doing due diligence on Ime Udoka and trying to understand that situation, as you would expect, from the way his tenure in Boston ended,” Shelburne said. “There was some expectation that a deal could get done last week. They've taken their time with it. I don't have an update on when this might come together because they're, quite frankly, doing due diligence right now and making sure they're comfortable with the situation before they move forward.”

This is very interesting, to say the least. It's not as if the Nets didn't know about Udoka's affair before they were heavily linked to the disgraced Celtics coach. This information isn't new, and Brooklyn knew all along that Udoka would come with his own baggage. So what has changed between then and now? Is it possible that the Nets have uncovered more damning information regarding Udoka's affair with a Celtics staffer? Or perhaps something else that has led to their hesitation toward hiring the 45-year-old coach?

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Jayson Tatum, Celtics, Tatum Celtics, Tatum cluch, Jrue Holiday

Jackson Stone ·

Hawks star Trae Young could be traded to the Lakers, Spurs, Pelicans or Nets

Sonny Giuliano ·

Blake Griffin with Celtics players telling him to come back before retirement.

Daniel Donabedian ·

Either way, what we can say for sure right now is that apparently, the Nets hiring Ime Udoka is anything but a certainty. This is the Brooklyn Nets we're talking about here, so more than a few more twists and turns can be expected.