Igor Kokoskov assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks is expected to join the Brooklyn Nets

The Nets' coaching staff is still being shuffled, with Mavericks assistant coach Igor Kokoskov anticipated to be hired as an advisor to Steve Nash.

Igor Kokoskov in a file photo [Image-nba.com]
By Blesson Daniel | Jun 6, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Deep playoff runs almost always come at a price. After an improbable run to the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Mavericks are in the midst of one right now. Marc Stein writes that assistant coach Igor Kokoskov is poised to leave for the Brooklyn Nets. He’ll work on Steve Nash’s staff there. In his first year with the Mavericks, Kokoskov was the driving force behind the offense. Dallas had a 112.5 offensive rating during the regular season and a 113.9 record in the playoffs because of his systems, which were based around Luka Doncic‘s brilliance.

Kidd didn’t only choose Kokoskov to join his new coaching team because of the offence. He did so as well because of his friendship with Doncic. From 2016 to 2017, Kokoskov was the coach of the Slovenian national team, which included Doncic. At EuroBasket 2017, Slovenia won the gold medal. Goran Dragic, a part of that championship squad, played for the Nets last season. Dragic is now a free agent with no restrictions. Kokoskov will run into some familiar faces in Brooklyn. He and Steve Nash met while they were both on the Phoenix Suns during Mike D’Antoni’s “seven seconds or less” era. From 2008 through 2013, Kokoskov worked as an assistant there.

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Igor Kokoskov will meet known faces in Nets

Nash isn’t the only Nets player with whom he has a close relationship. During the 2013-14 season, Kokoskov was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ coaching staff, which included Kyrie Irving. While Kokoskov will be seen in Brooklyn for many reunions, his departure leaves a void in Dallas. Since taking over as head coach of the Mavericks, Kidd has had to fill a void caused by a departing coach for the first time. He now appears to be on his way to Brooklyn to reunite with Nash and Irving. The Nets’ loss of former assistant Ime Udoka to Boston last offseason, and their poor season ending at the hands of Udoka’s Celtics, who defeated the Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, have gotten a lot of attention.