There wasn’t a whole lot of NBA head coaching turnover last spring, when several teams retained coaches who had previously had interim tags and only the Suns and Knicks made new hires. There haven’t been many changes since then either, with only New Orleans having made an in-season change, though Portland was also forced to elevate assistant Tiago Splitter after Chauncey Billups was arrested in October.
The expectation is that a relatively quiet 12 months on the coaching market could result in an eventful few weeks once the regular season ends, writes Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
“There’s going to be eight to 12 (coaching changes),” one source predicted to Fischer.
With several head coaching jobs expected to open up this spring, Fischer identifies a few candidates to monitor for those openings, naming current assistants Sean Sweeney (Spurs), Micah Nori (Timberwolves), Jared Dudley (Nuggets), Dave Bliss (Thunder), Chris Quinn (Heat), Royal Ivey (Rockets), and Luke Walton (Pistons).
Here are several more coaching-related rumors from Fischer:
- Confirming that Taylor Jenkins is a potential target to watch for the Bucks if they part ways with Doc Rivers, Fischer says there have been “whispers for months” that the Wizards would also have interest in Jenkins if they decide to move on from Brian Keefe. It’s unclear at this point if Washington intends to bring back Keefe for another season as the team aims to take a step toward contention in 2026/27. “It’s very difficult for any young coach to survive a years-long rebuild and (then) oversee a dramatic cultural shift of losing to competing,” one general manager told The Stein Line.
- If the Magic let go of Jamahl Mosley, he’s expected to draw interest from New Orleans, according to Fischer, who says Pelicans general manager Joe Dumars is a fan. James Borrego is also expected to receive consideration for the permanent job in New Orleans, Fischer notes, adding that Bucks assistant Darvin Ham is another candidate to watch if the team conducts a full-fledged search.
- While it’s too early to say what will happen with Steve Kerr, Fischer has heard that the Warriors would ideally like to sign the veteran coach for more than a single season if he decides to return, since team officials would prefer to avoid a “Last Dance scenario,” if possible. Stephen Curry‘s current contract expires in 2027, as does Jimmy Butler‘s. Draymond Green‘s would too if he exercises his 2026/27 player option.
- The Kings are still evaluating Doug Christie‘s performance and are taking into account that injuries decimated his roster this season, Fischer writes. Christie has one more guaranteed year left on his contract (with a 2027/28 team option) and it’s not impossible that he’ll return for next season, Fischer adds.
- Although the Trail Blazers discussed a potential extension for Splitter at one point, per Fischer, the acting head coach’s future is up in the air with new owner Tom Dundon taking over the franchise. Dundon has talked about evaluating every aspect of the organization. That includes its head coach and its front office, according to Fischer, who suggests that changes in the basketball operations department are possible. For what it’s worth, Dundon said recently that general manager Joe Cronin’s job status is “solid.”
I do not understand how Doc Rivers still has a job? King’s should never have fired Brown. Christie is not a good coach. Pelicans another team that do not know how to pick coaches even though Ham would be a good choice. I understand why magic wants to fire their coach because at teh start of the season you would think they are top 4 in the east. Warriors need to let kerr go because they need to rebuild and he is not good at trusting young players.
Warriors are leaving it up to Kerr, which means he’ll be back.
Based on Rivers’ comments recently, he’ll be gone.
Magic had so many injuries that it’s hard to know if any coach could have done much better. My guess is if Banchero and the Wagners like him he stays.
That was some awful defense last night by warriors. Why was Kerr playing a real small lineup against a much bigger team. Warriors need to sign bassey for next year because he was a difference when he was in last night.
Last night Kerr still out here playing 4 6’2″ guards and 1 center and Lacob thinks that is going to win? Warriors almost lost to the Kings due to Kerr’s overuse of no-defense smallball. Podz and Pat Spencer aren’t a #1 option like Kerr is making them out to be. Kerr is so washed, he is bad at his job, why does he have a lifetime gig, when he has been a massive negative to the team especially since 2023? Why does he favor playing white players over black players? I hate this timeline so much
last night shows why the warriors have no chance in the playoffs. Playing small players against a much bigger lineup. Why have both Curry’s on teh floor at the same time? Why does he expect a small Spencer to defend against a player 8 inches taller than him. If curry is 6 2 then Spencer is 6 feet. Curry is 2 inches taller than Spencer you can see it when they stand next to each other.
To be fair, no KP, Gui, Al or Richard. But the problem with Kerr is he will run these lineups even of those guys are active. Why does he bend over backwards to run the all small lineups?
At least they won, but Spencer had 41 mins and a -5, can we end that experiment already? Leons stinks too, Bassey way better. Get Bassey on the main roster now. His rolling down the floor style on offense works on a Steph team. No turnovers in a double double is nice nice from your 5th big option.
Seth had a +16 in 16 minutes, he was very good out there too.
Russ with his 9th DNP in a row, he has 6 triple doubles this season lol
looks more like Kerr will ride the Curry train another year. i do not mind them losing in the play in. the team has 0 chance of getting by OKC or even winning more than 1 game in the playoffs against them. the season is over.
I don’t see how the Blazers could do better than Splitter.