The Pistons, Raptors and Rockets are the main teams to watch for head coaching changes once the NBA season ends, writes Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Detroit’s Dwane Casey met with ownership to discuss his future after Wednesday’s game, and sources tell Fischer that some staff members are preparing for a change to take place. Fischer cites a source with knowledge of the situation who says Casey may be given the option of returning as head coach for the final year of his contract or moving into an advisory role with the front office.
Bucks assistant Charles Lee, who has interviewed for numerous head coaching positions in the past, is a top candidate if the Pistons’ job opens up, according to Fischer, who hears that Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin may be given consideration as well. Griffin previously worked under general manager Troy Weaver as an assistant coach in Oklahoma City.
Nick Nurse amplified questions about his status in Toronto last weekend when he said he plans to take some time after the season to evaluate his future with the organization. There were already rumors that the Raptors were considering a coaching move following a disappointing season that will result in a spot in the play-in tournament.
Former Celtics coach Ime Udoka is considered a leading candidate to replace Nurse if he either decides to move on or is dismissed by the team. Udoka was a finalist for the job before Nurse was hired in 2018, and he has a strong relationship with executive Masai Ujiri through the Basketball Without Borders program.
Nurse could wind up in Houston, where Stephen Silas appears likely to be replaced after three years of rebuilding, Fischer adds. Nurse was the Rockets’ G League coach from 2011-13, but he’s not the only potential candidate with ties to Houston or to James Harden, who will reportedly be an offseason target in free agency.
Fischer notes that Trail Blazers assistant Scott Brooks coached Harden in Oklahoma City, while Pistons assistant Rex Kalamian worked on Brooks’ staff with the Thunder. Fischer states that Kalamian has been mentioned by several NBA sources as a potential addition in Houston, possibly as an assistant.
Elsewhere, Fischer hears that league personnel are watching Steve Clifford’s future with the Hornets. The current leadership isn’t considering replacing Clifford, who’s still on the first season of his new contract, Fischer adds, but that could change if Michael Jordan sells enough of his interest in the team that there’s a new primary governor.
There’s no chance the rockets keep Silas. The writing is on the wall it’s just common courtesy to let him finish the season
Nurse would be a good hire for them.
If 76ers lose to Celtics in playoffs, Harden may choose coach for Rockets
It’s likely to happen
Losing to Celtics, it’s not coach Rivers problem
Let’s be honest
The Philly job will be open when/if that happens.
Then Doc will get another job. smh
And Dallas,please Kidd is a sucks
Cuban said Kidd is staying :(
Mark from Cuba is too cheap… Won’t happen…
Didn’t Kidd bring them to the WCF last year?
Toronto considering a move up at Head Coach position. They may bring a Doctor as an upgrade to their current Nurse.
Udoka would be a really good HC for Toronto.
He had that Celtics team playing really really well when it mattered most. Still think any change there would be tough on Nick Nurse who I think is still a really good coach and the lack of success this season is more down to the personal and lack of making a big trade. Nurse going to Houston would be interesting. He really demands a lot from his guy’s defensively and Houston is such a young team that’s been a problem for them. Tari Eason and Jabari Smith would do really well under him tho.
As for Dwayne Casey, he’s been the guy directing them through this rebuild and hasn’t had the players, now he’s finally got the players you have to give him time to prove what he can do with them. To many bigs for my preference (Wiseman, Stewart, Duren, Bagley, Livers, Bogi) and didn’t understand giving away Bey your only real 3.
As long as the Raptors lock up their female employees.
Jabari – one on four fastbreak jump shot opportunities will not impress Coach Nurse.
Charlotte could use a coaching change too… This second run for Clifford isn’t doing anything
Although I don’t fully disagree, Clifford is a coach that can create a very complex system which takes time. You saw that with the Kemba years. He treated that team like Kemba was a running back and everyone else were an offensive line. Setting up multiple and reoccurring picks creating lanes and pockets where Kemba could score from.
It takes time and a complete buy in from the team. So it’s hard to say if the players are willing to do that or not. So you may be right. I think it would depend on who else they can get. If they could get Udoka, id dump Clifford in a second
I truly think of teams whose coaches are gone are Casey with Detroit and Silas with Houston. Thanks to Harden Silas was not given a chance to see what could do with him and Westbrook. Whether they left due to Silas coming in. That meant rebuild in Houston and tanking for 3 seasons. If we get top in the lottery perhaps could get our guy abut if end up at 2 or 3 do we keep that and see who can get. I know our guy Spurs want too and not sure elsewhere. What players for the Rockets are expendable and whom will they go after. Rumors of Jaylen Brown I think of the Celtics. Also Harden rumors. Will Fertitta be desperate for him back. I hope Houston gets a great staff for next season. And they also start to win. At least get up there to get a spot for play in. Depending on how the season changes ahead as well. With a play in tournament early or something as saying perhaps only 80 games and such. Still trying to understand it all. But I hope these teams mentioned get their coaching set the way they would like.
Moving Dwayne Casey doesn’t make sense. Pistons are in desperate need of consistency. And the front office is pretty much the cause of it. Unless Casey himself just is done with it, let him try to build something there.
Nurse is an example of a coach running their course. Time to move on. Someone mentioned Udoka, he would be a great fit.
Rockets? Whatever
I like Udoka for Raptors. I think he’s a great fit there. Definitely
Like McMillan for Rockets. They need to learn to play D. And he won’t take no Crp.
Pistons need a young experienced coach. Not sure who’s out there. Always liked Nets ex coach Atkinson. He would be good for a young team imo.
You certainly do NOT have to give Dwayne Casey anymore time with this team! I understand that the talent level hasn’t been great in Detroit but he has not made a bit of difference with this team and it’s way past time for a new voice in that lockerroom. Every player we’ve drafted has gotten worse since coming to DET, and he is not helping any of them progress. It’s also time for Troy Weaver to take a hike. What has he done outside of picking up the obvious draft picks like Cunningham and Ivey? It’s time for a whole new regime!
Get rid of Weaver? Seriously? He traded up twice to get Duren & Stewart, outsmarted every other GM to bring on Bogie. Traded Bey who wasn’t going to start next year for a promising big in Wiseman. Finally and most importantly , got the team out of cap space hell and positioned them for the future. Let’s see what this team does next year when 4 of its starters are not hurt
Yes, it’s too early to can Weaver. He’s done some good stuff, but the jury is still out overall. Next year is high time for his rebuild to bear fruit, though.
Comical. DET and HOU changed FO regimes 3 years ago, and have been in full tank mode for 3 years. Tanking is a FO decision, first and foremost.
In DET, Weaver (FO) took over a team that finished 20-46 during the shortened 2020 season. Since, they’ve been 20-52, 23-59 and 17-64. Horrific, and getting worse? True, but Weaver got an extension for it. Even accepting the doublespeak that tanking inspires (bad = good), how does a record that got Weaver an extension get Casey fired? Yeah, they drafted some talent, but that’s not an accomplishment when you pick at the top of the draft and trade future picks for current ones.