The Washington Wizards are hopeful that they can land star free agent Kevin Durant this summer, bringing him back to his hometown, and they added one more piece on Thursday that may help their cause. The team has signed former Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks to a five-year deal as their new head man.
The deal is worth $35 million, and got done before the Houston Rockets had a chance to pursue him, which they were expected to do at their season's end. Houston could now turn to the likes of Jeff Van Gundy this off-season.
The Wizards fired former head coach Randy Wittman at the end of a disappointing 41-41 season, which saw them miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Brooks has been the leading candidate ever since, which could give Washington a better chance of adding Durant, by reuniting him with his former coach in OKC.
Brooks made five playoff appearances with the Thunder, including falling in the 2012 NBA Finals to LeBron James' Miami Heat, while also posting an overall record of 338-207. His winning percentage of .620 is the best among coaches who have yet to win an NBA championship.
All of those years of coming so close in the playoffs took a toll on the Thunder organization, causing them to fire Brooks in favor of Billy Donovan after last season, despite his 39-34 postseason record. After taking this season off from the sidelines, Brooks will return to lead the young, explosive Wizards back into the conversation in the East. And with this addition, the off-season for our nation's capital could get very interesting.
The deal is worth $35 million, and got done before the Houston Rockets had a chance to pursue him, which they were expected to do at their season's end. Houston could now turn to the likes of Jeff Van Gundy this off-season.
The Wizards fired former head coach Randy Wittman at the end of a disappointing 41-41 season, which saw them miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season. Brooks has been the leading candidate ever since, which could give Washington a better chance of adding Durant, by reuniting him with his former coach in OKC.
Brooks made five playoff appearances with the Thunder, including falling in the 2012 NBA Finals to LeBron James' Miami Heat, while also posting an overall record of 338-207. His winning percentage of .620 is the best among coaches who have yet to win an NBA championship.
All of those years of coming so close in the playoffs took a toll on the Thunder organization, causing them to fire Brooks in favor of Billy Donovan after last season, despite his 39-34 postseason record. After taking this season off from the sidelines, Brooks will return to lead the young, explosive Wizards back into the conversation in the East. And with this addition, the off-season for our nation's capital could get very interesting.
