According to a recent report, the Indiana Pacers may let head coach Frank Vogel go once his contract expire in June. Which NBA team would be best for Vogel to end up with for the 2016-17 season?
The general consensus across the NBA is that Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel is one of the best at what he does. He’s an elite defensive mind who’s led the Pacers to intriguing and progressive success since taking over in 2010-11.
With his contract set to expire in June, however, it’s unclear whether or not the Pacers will bring him back. If that surprises you, it’s likely because Vogel has helped the Pacers return to contending status over six fruitful seasons.
Oddly enough, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports that the Pacers haven’t yet committed to bringing Vogel back for the 2016-17 season.
Sources: Indiana coach Frank Vogel's contract expires at season's end and so far there's been no discussion of a contract extension.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 2, 2016
Wojnarowski continued:
Vogel would have intense appeal on the market. He could be patient with choosing a new job -- if he doesn't return to Indiana.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 2, 2016
Vogel is widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the NBA, which makes this a massive development.
Every team with a head coaching vacancy will be listed on this slideshow, and for obvious reasons. Vogel is one of the premier defensive coaches in the Association, and he’s continuing to learn how to better emphasize and enable offensive execution.
The question is, which team would be best for Vogel to end up with in 2016-17?
Next: Temporary Fix
5. Be A Temporary Assistant
Some might view this as a slap in the face, but this is not a proposal for Frank Vogel to accept a demotion. Instead, it’s an acknowledgement of the fact that there aren’t many teams in need of a head coach right now, and there inevitably will be some in 2017.
This isn’t a demotion, but instead an opportunity for Vogel to remain connected to the coaching scene as he weighs his future options.
Every team in the NBA would jump at the opportunity to bring Vogel onto their coaching staff. That includes contenders such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors—which will need to replace assistant coach Luke Walton—and San Antonio Spurs, which would offer Vogel an immediate opportunity to experience championship glory.
As if he needs it, that would only help his case for landing a head coaching gig in 2017.
Another option would be to become an analyst, a la Tom Thibodeau, and bide his time while remaining in the public eye. He could also take a year off to simply rest and recuperate, which would be a fair path to follow.
If Indiana does let him go, there’s simply no scenario in which Vogel wouldn’t draw interest.
Next: The Ideal Fix
4. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are in dire need of a head coach who can convince James Harden and company to play defense. J.B. Bickerstaff got the short end of the stick in 2015-16, but for as deserving as he is of a second chance, Houston can’t afford to ignore alternative options.
If Frank Vogel were willing to accept the job as the Rockets’ next head coach, he could restore and build upon the glory achieved during the Jeff Van Gundy days.
Vogel is respected by the masses, which suggests he’d have a better time than most in entering the locker room and commanding respect. If he can connect with Harden, and at least convince him to try on defense, the Rockets could return to the Western Conference Finals.
It may seem like forever ago, but yes, it was only last year that the Rockets were the No. 2 seed and a Western Conference Finals participant.
Regardless of which coach is hired, Dwight Howard is expected to depart during the summer of 2016. Vogel could help pull in Ian Mahinmi and other quality targets in free agency, which would be a nice starting point for Houston’s change in culture.
Vogel is one of the best coaches in the league, and Houston would be lucky to nab him.
Next: The Resurrection
3. Sacramento Kings
All jokes about the future of the Sacramento Kings would come to a screeching halt if Frank Vogel were named the team’s next head coach. The defensive guru would help stabilize the primary areas of weakness while possessing the track record of someone who connects well with his players.
If anyone can save DeMarcus Cousins, it’s Vogel.
Vogel is a no-nonsense coach who still manages to find the balance for a lighthearted relationship with his players. Cousins is somewhat unpredictable, but all he really seems to want is to have a coach who will help him win without attempting to demean him.
Vogel can be that coach.
The Kings were one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA this season, if not the worst. Sacramento ranked dead last in scoring defense, No. 23 in points allowed per 100 possessions, and No. 24 in opponent field goal percentage.
If the 2015-16 season proved anything about Vogel, it’s that he can turn water into wine on the defensive end of the floor.
Next: The Perfect Fit
2. New York Knicks
Phil Jackson is executing what’s said to be a broad search for the next head coach of the New York Knicks. Many have called the validity of that endeavor into question, as David Blatt and Kurt Rambis have been the only two candidates to emerge thus far.
Having grown up in Wildwood, New Jersey, it’s fair to assume that Frank Vogel would at least be open to what would essentially be a return home.
The Knicks already have one of the best defensive interiors in the league with Robin Lopez and Kristaps Porzingis—seriously, New York was No. 1 in defensive field goal percentage at the rim in 2015-16. It needs to shore up the perimeter, however, and play with more consistency on that end of the floor.
There aren’t many coaches better for such a job than Vogel.
If Vogel is willing to run the Triangle Offense, then he’d be the perfect candidate for the Knicks to hire. He can legitimize the defense while connecting with his players as a young, fresh, and relatable face with a proven track record.
Indiana and New York will always be rivals, but if the Knicks can poach the Pacers’ head coach, they need to do it.
Next: Let's Be Real
1. Indiana Pacers
Seriously, what are the Indiana Pacers thinking? All Frank Vogel has done over the past four years is lead the Pacers to two Conference Finals appearances—with two teams that, on talent alone, shouldn’t have been there—a near postseason appearance without Paul George, and a severe overachievement of a season in 2015-16.
Vogel’s players seem to like him, and his track record is strong, so why in the world would Indiana let him go?
I understand that missing the playoffs in 2014-15 was a tough pill to swallow, but the franchise player only appeared in six games that year. Even still, with a makeshift roster supporting Roy Hibbert, George Hill, and a then 34-year-old David West, Indiana was a tiebreaker short of a postseason appearance.
In 2015-16, with the defensive anchor, as well as the go-to player in the clutch, lost via trade and free agency, Indiana still managed to win 45 games.
Despite losing his rim protector, Vogel led the Pacers to a ranking of No. 3 in defensive efficiency. He placed a higher emphasis on 3-point shooting than he had in previous seasons, and got the most out of career role players who hadn’t previously played this big of a factor on a postseason team.
More hoops habit: Five reasons to remain optimistic about the Indiana pacers
Larry Bird has proven to be more than knowledgeable as an executive, but it’d be difficult to justify his letting Vogel go.