At risk in the NBA bubble: Coaches on the hot seat

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 07: Brett Brown head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on in the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on March 07, 2020 in San Francisco, 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

3. Jacque Vaughn

Arguably the least fair parting of the ways on the horizon, Jacque Vaughn may not be long for the Brooklyn Nets after taking over for Kenny Atkinson just before the NBA shut down.

Vaughn has done absolutely everything he can to earn this job. He entered the bubble with a team depleted by injuries and pandemic, widely panned as hoping to beat the Washington Wizards and luck into a playoff spot that they only deserved when healthy.

They went on to beat the Milwaukee Bucks (admittedly not playing all their players) without even their bubble starting lineup in play. They also beat the Sacramento Kings by 13, Los Angeles Clippers by nine and Orlando Magic by 12 in addition to the expected win over the Wizards.

Vaughn has gotten the best out of Caris LeVert and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot in the bubble and has helped the organization take a step forward. They gave the Portland Trail Blazers the fight of their lives in the final seeding game in a game that did not matter to the Nets beyond pride and meant everything to the Blazers’ season.

The issue for Vaughn is whether or not the stars at the top of his roster who will be returning healthy next season want him or a different name at the head of the organization. Vaughn is currently on the shortlist to be brought in next season, alongside starry names like Mark Jackson, Tyronn Lue, Jeff Van Gundy and Jason Kidd. The league is star-driven, so ultimately Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant choosing who they want to work with makes sense, but Vaughn deserves better.