The Atlanta Hawks fired head coach Nate McMillan on Tuesday after two straight disappointing seasons as the full-time head coach and named Joe Prunty as the interim. McMillan helped lead the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in the interim role back in 2021, was named head coach and has since clashed with his biggest star, Trae Young, and hovered around .500 with a talented roster.
A change was expected.
Well, it sure looks like Young has a name in mind to be the next Hawks head coach.
On Wednesday, Young posted a series of photos on Instagram with the caption, “One thing we can never get back, Time! ~Don’t waste it~” It seemed to be a veiled message to the Hawks, and interestingly enough, Young was wearing a Phoenix Suns Steve Nash jersey in a few of the photos.
— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) February 22, 2023
The image of Young wearing a Suns jersey was a bit jarring at first glance. After all, there had been rumblings earlier this season about a potential Trae Young trade.
But this really appeared to be about Nash more than anything else. Nash was Young’s favorite player growing up. And despite Nash’s shaky tenure in Brooklyn and critical comments about Young’s foul-hunting moves, he would be a head coach who would immediately have Trae’s respect.
NBA fans certainly read into the post as Young lobbying for a Nash hire.
This was how Twitter reacted
Trae Young shows love to Steve Nash as Hawks begin coaching search. pic.twitter.com/NoHk1lXdFw
— Pat Benson (@Pat_Benson_Jr) February 22, 2023
Trae hinting he wants Nash? 👀 pic.twitter.com/gEm4reQTbp
— Karce (@Karsonnnn) February 22, 2023
Trae Young showing love to Steve Nash 👀🧡 pic.twitter.com/WUxjlLxSmR
— ❆ (@TraesMuse) February 22, 2023
All I’m saying is if Nash comes out of nowhere and gets the job then it’s 1000% a Trae hire lol
IMO the chances of that happening are slim to none though
However, I wouldn’t mind him as an assistant
— Grant Shirley (@Grant_Shirley4) February 22, 2023
Trae wants Steve Nash as coach? 🧐 pic.twitter.com/SUJpTlYkpA
— Tyler Nizinski (@TylerN_Realtor) February 22, 2023
Trae Young posted some pictures via Instagram and he wore a Steve Nash jersey in some of them.
Is this a sign about the future? 👀#TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/oxH7QlNGZn
— Christos Tsaltas (@Tsaltas46) February 22, 2023
Lmao that’s what he deserve https://t.co/4KIkeMS5js
— The 3rd🎁 (@KimTheIII) February 22, 2023
the guy who cried about trae saying what he does isn’t basketball? lmao https://t.co/yhlE0PaAci
— the zandelorian (@supadee800) February 22, 2023
Lol as a mentor. Not anywhere near the coaching staff. https://t.co/zu13tPnsKE
— JB (@Jbutler_7) February 22, 2023
Given that Nash failed in Brooklyn, it would be tough to see the Hawks turn to Nash. But keeping Trae happy will be a priority for Atlanta, so you never know.
