The Brooklyn Nets could eventually become an attractive destination for top free agents this summer after hiring Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach starting next season.
According to New York Post, Atkinson is well known for developing players, which could attract free agents this summer, including Hawks center Al Horford.
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Horford, who will become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, developed a close relationship with Atkinson over the past several years. Aside from working together in Atlanta, Horford also played under Atkinson with the Dominican Republic national basketball team.
Atkinson will likely try to recruit Horford this summer in the hope of bringing players who are familiar with his style of coaching. Last year, Horford, who is playing in the final season of his five-year contract worth $60 million, praised Atkinson for helping him turn into a more versatile player for the Hawks.
"He has challenged me," Horford said of Atkinson during an interview with ESPN. "For instance, before he got here, I was pretty much a shooter on the pick-and-pop. I was never really driving. Kenny has challenged me to put the ball on the floor. It's something we've worked on together, and now it's something I feel comfortable doing."
Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin also had nothing but praises for Atkinson. Lin said that Atkinson is hardworking and is one of the reasons why he had a successful stint with the New York Knicks in 2012, when the new Nets coach was still serving as assistant to Mike D'Antoni.
"I mean this guy wakes up at 6 a.m. every morning," Lin said of Atkinson. "I'll text after a game at midnight, one o'clock when I go home, and I'll say, 'Hey, can I look at those turnovers? Can I look at the upcoming team? How they run pick-and-rolls?' And he'll have the film ready when I walk into the facility the next morning."
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Lin, who is averaging 11.7 points on top of 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game this season, could also become a free agent this summer if he opts out of the final season of his two-year, $4.37 million contract.
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