EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Brooklyn Nets announced Sunday they will not offer a new contract to interim head coach P.J. Carlesimo, and that "a search for a new head coach will commence immediately."
"The Brooklyn Nets organization would like to thank P.J. for his efforts with the team in his roles as both head coach and assistant, and for his contributions to the team's success both on and off the court," general manager Billy King said in a news release issued the day after the Chicago Bulls eliminated the Nets in Game 7 of their first-round series.
King would not rule out Phil Jackson for the coaching vacancy and said he plans to call Jackson to gauge his level of interest.
The Nets, in their first season in Brooklyn, finished second in the Atlantic Division and were the No. 4 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.
Carlesimo had been promoted in December when the team fired Avery Johnson after a 14-14 start to the season, but was never hired as the permanent coach.
"We wish P.J. and his family only the best in the years to come," King said in the statement.