Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is facing a lengthy suspension for violating the organization’s guidelines. He could be suspended for the entire NBA season after reportedly having a consensual and intimate relationship with a female on the team’s staff.
As Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN stated, this would be an unprecedented punishment in the NBA. We will likely hear more about this story in the coming days as more information is shared, but it is clear that Udoka will be facing some sort of punishment for his role in what occurred.
While the Celtics and their coaching staff are preparing to be without Udoka for the upcoming 2022-23 season, a more permanent change could be needed. According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Udoka has considered resigning from his position as head coach of the team.
That would certainly send shockwaves through the NBA. What Udoka reportedly did was morally wrong, but he wouldn’t be the first person to have an affair with a coworker. There are certainly organizations around the league that would scoop him up in a second should he step down or be relieved of his duties.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Ime Udoka & Boston Celtics Updates
The Celtics know that, which is why they are not going to fire him. If Udoka wants to step down, that is his decision, but the suspension is likely the most that Boston will levy against him; they will not be taking his job away.
Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla would likely take over on an interim basis should Udoka be suspended for the season. The team’s top assistant coach from last season, Will Hardy, was hired to become the head coach of the Utah Jazz this offseason.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Ime Udoka & Boston Celtics Updates
The Boston Celtics won 51 games in Ime Udoka’s first season as head coach of the team and won the Eastern Conference Finals. They lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games in the NBA Finals but are expected to contend once again this upcoming season.
