There’s been “momentum” to the idea of Scott Brooks remaining as Wizards coach, but it may mean changes to his entire staff of assistants, per Washington reporter Quinton Mayo.
Point guard Russell Westbrook appears to be a major reason behind the decision to keep Brooks, per Mayo, as Westbrook admires the coach and could be upset if the Wizards decided to move on. Brooks coached Westbrook with the Thunder from 2008-15.
“They don’t want to upset Russ,” a source told Mayo.
Brooks signed a five-year deal in 2016, and with that deal expiring, there’s been speculation that Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard may opt for a coaching change.
Westbrook just finished his first season with the Wizards, who reached the playoffs before falling to the top-seeded 76ers in the first round. He backed Brooks publicly at the end of the season.
“If it was up to me, Scotty wouldn’t be going anywhere. It’s not even a question or a conversation to even be brought up,” Westbrook told reporters. “If the conversation is brought to me, I will definitely voice my opinion like I’m voicing it now and see what happens.”
“This year he did a hell of a job. He did a job that I’m pretty sure people didn’t think he was able to do. He kept us together, he kept us encouraged, he kept us fighting. He don’t get a lot of credit for it, but he deserves a lot of credit for putting us in position to be successful.”
Brooks has compiled a 183-207 record with the Wizards, and is 521-414 in 12 seasons overall.
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