Nets Finalizing Deal with Lionel Hollins

The Nets are not wasting any time in putting the Jason Kidd fiasco behind them. The franchise is close to finalizing a contract with former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins.

Rumors are that it will be a multi-year deal that will pay Hollins roughly $4 million a season.

The signing of Hollins give the Nets much needed stability. He was a winner with the Grizzlies, turning a dead franchise that had moved from Vancouver in the early 2000s' into a perennial playoff contender by 2010. He led the Griz to the 2013 Western Conference Finals before parting ways when the two parties couldn't agree on a contract extension.

Hollins has spent the past season watching from the sidelines, and has been a favorite of Nets officials for some time. He was a candidate for the job last summer, and was approached to replace Lawrence Frank as Kidd's top assistant in December.

Hollins brings to the Nets a coach who has veteran experience both as a winner and mentor. He found a way to make Zack Randolph, Marc Gasol and Tony Allen into All Stars with the Grizzlies, so he should have success working with the likes of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez and company. He might even carry enough clout to convince someone like Paul Pierce to return to Brooklyn next season.

The Nets will be a challenge for Hollins, since they are an aging roster with a lot of bad contracts. Yet, he should be the perfect guy for the job.

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