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NBA: 5 coaches on the hot seat heading into 2019-20

By Jordan Foote

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 1: View of the game ball and This is Why We Play logo before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets on December 1, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 1: View of the game ball and This is Why We Play logo before the game between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets on December 1, 2016 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Ryan Saunders

The league’s youngest head coach, Ryan Saunders, has already dealt with his fair share of obstacles. Taking over just under halfway into last season (40 games) following the firing of former coach Tom Thibodeau, Saunders took a 19-21 team and led it to a 17-25 record for the remainder of the year. Finishing with the 11th-best record in the Western Conference in 2018-19, the bar set by the previous season’s playoff berth was not met.

To be clear, Saunders didn’t inherit a great team to begin with. Aside from budding star Karl-Anthony Towns, there wasn’t too much Minnesota could hang its hat on. Jimmy Butler forced his way out of town via a trade. Andrew Wiggins’ progression remained a huge question mark into his age-23 season. Derrick Rose’s resurgence was a great comeback story but clouded the team’s point guard situation.

Selecting Jarrett Culver with the team’s top pick in this year’s NBA Draft, the Timberwolves found a way to add both talent and youth to a team that needed to invest in both. With one of the youngest rosters in the league, this season will be all about development.

How long Saunders remains the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves depends on how patient the front office is with him. As the roster currently stands, it isn’t likely Minnesota makes the playoffs this season. It is possible, though, that Towns continues to grow into his own, Wiggins finds himself again and Culver comes along quicker than expected. If none of those things happen, Saunders could find himself without a job.