Who will be the first NBA coach to be fired?
It’s time for the 2022-2023 NBA hot seat. We are nearing the NBA All-Star Break, which means teams will soon be deciding if there coach will get another season or hit the unemployment line. There will be some firings that all saw coming and some that will be a complete surprise. We take a look at both the obvious and the potential shockers.
Also: Check out the list of top coaches in the NBA
WIN NOW OR ELSE
Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks
He had a good run in Chicago to begin his NBA head coaching career, but hasn’t found much traction since. The NBA would benefit from a better Knicks team and it will likely take someone other than Thibodeau to get there.
Dwane Casey, Detroit Pistons
Casey made the playoffs in year one with the Pistons (2018-19). They’ve been on the decline since including a miserable start to the 2022-23 season. This team has some young talent that needs a new voice.
Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers
It seems like Rivers will be on the NBA Hot Seat until he wins a championship. He’s piled up regular season wins as the head coach of the 76ers, but the playoffs have been a disappointment. Another earlier than expected exit from the playoffs may lead to Rivers’ firing.
THINGS ARE GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE
Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
This Bulls roster was not built to barely get into the playoffs. Short of a late season surge, it’s easy to picture the Bulls parting ways with Donovan.
Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves made their big move by trading for Rudy Gobert. Their next big move may be finding a new head coach that can get this team closer to the top of the Western Conference and not a team that hangs around .500.
POTENTIAL SURPRISES
Darvin Ham, Los Angeles Lakers
Sure, it’s only year one for Ham and the Lakers. The Lakers missing the playoffs will get a lot of attention and Ham might be the fall guy if the Lakers can line up a top-tier replacement.
Michael Malone – Denver Nuggets
Malone currently has the Nuggets at the top of the Western Conference. But, another first round of playoffs flameout similar to last season may get Malone fired.
