Frank will no longer sit on bench as lead assistant coach.
According to ESPN sources, building ‘friction’ between Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd and assistant Laurence Frank has led to a reduced role for the latter.
Multiple league sources have suggested that a difference in philosophies has been brewing since the start of the season, which has ultimately led to Kidd taking action.
The Nets have struggled so far this season and currently sit at the wrong end of the Eastern Conference with a 5-13 record.
“This is the decision that I had to make and we made it and we move on,” Kidd told reporters before the Denver Nuggets game on Tuesday night.
Kidd is currently in his rookie season, but it is understood that the Nets have decided not to try to pursue another veteran coach to help Kidd’s transition from player to coach and believe that it is perhaps the better solution to let him solely run things.
Nevertheless, given the level of investment in the playing roster, it has been reported that Frank had signed a six-year deal with the Nets worth approximately $6m.
His demotion was met with disappointment from point guard Shaun Livingston, but ultimately the focus will be on trying to change their fortunes on the court and Kidd has confirmed that his former assistant will not be on the bench during games, and instead primarily focusing on daily reports.
Injuries continue to hamper Kidd as Paul Pierce will now miss the next four weeks of action with a broken bone in his shooting hand, joining the likes of Deron Williams and Jason Terry on the sidelines.
The 111-87 loss to the Nuggets on Tuesday night will only pile further misery on the franchise, as they look ahead to facing rivals the New York Knicks later this week.
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