Most NBA fans are focused on the playoffs, but others are busy trying to figure out who their team will hire as their next head coach. Here are 10 possible candidates.
Once the NBA season concludes on the third Wednesday of April, a lot of fans focus on the playoffs. Others are focused on who their team will hire as their next head coach. There are currently six teams that have open head coaching positions or have interim head coaches.
New York Knicks interim head coach Kurt Rambis could be hired as the next Knicks head coach, according to ESPN.com, but it appears they have a fluid coaching search. President of basketball operations Phil Jackson will do his due diligence before hiring the next head coach in New York.
The Phoenix Suns are in search for a new head coach and interim head coach Earl Watson feels confident that he’s ready to take the interim tag off, according to Bright Side Of The Sun’s Dave King.
Houston Rockets interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and general manager Daryl Morey will be evaluated at the end of the season, according to ESPN.com. If Morey leaves, it’s likely that Bickerstaff would also leave.
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With center Dwight Howard holding a $23.3 million option for 2016-17 and the possibility he may opt out, it would be wise to consider clearing house and giving a new GM a fresh start to build around superstar shooting guard James Harden.
The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that interim head coach Sam Mitchell would not be retained, according to the Associated Press’ Jon Krawcynski. The Sacramento Kings announced that George Karl was fired, first reported by Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Wojnarowski also reported that the Washington Wizards were planning to fire Randy Wittman.
Wizards have informed Randy Wittman that he's been fired, league source tells @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 14, 2016
The Brooklyn Nets have already hired Atlanta Hawks‘ assistant Kenny Atkinson as head coach, according to Yahoo’s! Wojnarowski. Atkinson, a former Knicks assistant coach and a native of Long Island, is tasked with a tough job. He takes over a Nets team with new GM Sean Marks, few draft picks and little talent.
However, ESPN’s Zach Lowe is one of several reporters who have provided positive commentary on the hire.
Former NBA head coaches and current assistant coaches will likely be near the top of team’s lists. There are also some college coaches that will be towards the top of some lists as well.
In fact, the Nets looked into John Calipari’s interests in joining their team, however his asking price was 10 years at the price of $120 million, according to Yahoo’s! Wojnarowski. That was before Marks was hired as GM, however.
While the playoff buzz continues into the start of a new work week, teams seeking head coaches will also be active in conducting interviews and possibly hiring coaches. Here are the top 10 candidates for teams to select as their next head coach.
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