The NBA’s coaching carousel was tumultuous during the previous season, with several coaches facing challenges and job losses. Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics faced off-court issues that prevented him from starting the season, Steve Nash of the Brooklyn Nets was let go after just seven games, and Nate McMillan of the Atlanta Hawks was fired during the all-star break. The chaos continued at the end of the season, as five former coach of the year winners lost their jobs within a 38-day period.
Now, as the dust settles, eight teams have new coaches heading into the 2023-24 season, accounting for over a quarter of the league. This turnover resulted in significant casualties, such as Doc Rivers, who retired from coaching after 24 seasons, and Mike Budenholzer, who will not be coaching for the first time in over 25 years. However, there were also positive developments for the coaching profession. Frank Vogel and Quin Snyder returned to coaching with the Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks, respectively, while Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs and Monty Williams, now with the Detroit Pistons, secured lucrative contracts. The 2022 hiring cycle also produced successful coaches like Mike Brown, Darvin Ham, and Will Hardy.
With the recent coaching changes, there may be less turnover in the coming year. However, there are still five coaches who will feel the pressure this season.
Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks is under scrutiny because Luka Doncic missed the playoffs last year, and the team traded for Kyrie Irving in an effort to build a competitive roster. Kidd must improve the team’s defense and find a way for Doncic and Irving to thrive together.
Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls is in a precarious situation after the team finished with a disappointing 40-42 record last year. The star trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic underperformed, and the loss of Lonzo Ball to injury dampened expectations. If the team fails to show improvement, Donovan could become a scapegoat.
Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves faces the challenge of integrating high-priced stars like Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Anthony Edwards into a cohesive team. The team fell short of expectations last season, and Finch will need another breakout season from Edwards to guide the team to success.
Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets had a difficult season due to injuries and off-court issues. With a new ownership group taking over, changes could be on the horizon. Clifford must find a way to bring the team back to the playoffs after a seven-year absence.
Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers has had a challenging start to his coaching career. The team faced numerous difficulties, including injuries and a trade request from Damian Lillard. Billups now faces a long-term rebuild with limited resources. He must work to improve the team’s culture and show progress with their young players.
Overall, the upcoming season will be crucial for these five coaches as they navigate the challenges and expectations that come with their respective teams.
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