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The Brooklyn Nets are hiring former Portland Trail Blazers Assistant Coach David Vanterpool to augment their coaching staff, led by Head Coach Steve Nash. The news comes courtesy of Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Brooklyn Nets are finalizing a deal with David Vanterpool to become an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 9, 2021
Vanterpool served with the Blazers between 2012 and 2019 under then-head coach Terry Stotts. He was said to be a particular favorite of stars Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum as well as a helpful influence on Portland’s defensive schemes. He left Portland in 2019 to take an Associate Head Coach position with the Minnesota Timberwolves under Ryan Saunders. Saunders was fired midway through the 2020-21 season and Vanterpool was not interviewed as the ‘Wolves went with Toronto Raptors assistant Chris Finch instead.
Vanterpool was mentioned loosely in conjunction with Portland’s own coaching search after they fired Terry Stotts at the conclusion of the season. The Blazers ultimately went with Chauncey Billups instead. News broke this morning that they are also hiring former Wizards coach Scott Brooks as Billups’ lead assistant.
UPDATE
Nets All Star Kevin Durant has endorsed the Vanterpool hire highlighting his own personal ties to the former Blazers assistant.
Kevin Durant on the Nets hiring David Vanterpool: "That's family to me. He's from the same area I'm from. We know the same people. Mutual family friends. I can't wait to have him on board."
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 9, 2021