What does the Brooklyn Nets parting ways with Kenny Atkinson mean for their chances of contending when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving return next season?
The timing of Saturday's announcement that the Nets and Atkinson had "mutually agreed" to part ways came as a surprise, in no small part because Brooklyn was coming off a blowout win over the San Antonio Spurs at home the night before. While the Nets' injury-marred season likely can't be salvaged, they have higher hopes for 2020-21, when Durant and Irving should be back from long-term injuries.
What kind of replacement might help Brooklyn translate the excitement of landing two of last summer's top free agents into contention for the Eastern Conference crown? And where could Atkinson land? Let's take a look.