In a bit of odd timing, the Atlanta Hawks fired head coach Nate McMillan this afternoon.
The Atlanta Hawks dismissed coach Nate McMillan, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Jjh3qlCnCX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 21, 2023
Although the situation in Atlanta had been rocky for some time, the timing of McMillan’s dismissal is certainly strange.
Woj says that Joe Prunty will serve as interim but the Hawks will waste no time trying to find a new coach. And as far as that search goes, Shams Charania listed the Kings’ Jordi Fernandez as a candidate.
Sources: The Hawks' head coaching candidates are expected to include Bucks assistant Charles Lee, Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez, Warriors assistant Kenny Atkinson, Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson, G League South Bay's Miles Simon and former Jazz coach Quin Snyder.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 21, 2023
While I suspect that Jordi won’t be the top candidate for the Hawks, I also don’t think this will be the last time Jordi is a candidate to become a head coach. He’s Mike Brown’s lead assistant on a surprisingly successful team, and already had a strong résumé before coming to Sacramento. From the glimpses we get from things like The Run, I have no doubt that someday Fernandez will become a head coach.
For now, though, I say Atlanta can kick rocks. I’m not ready to lose Jordi yet.
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