Finding the ideal match for each remaining NBA head coaching vacancy

There are five remaining head coaching vacancies in the NBA now that Billy Donovan is headed to the Chicago Bulls — Here are the best remaining pairings.

In an offseason like no other, the NBA free-agent market is going to be relatively quiet for players. The place where we’re likely to see the most movement, however, is in the coaching market. Most recently, OKC Thunder head coach Billy Donovan, who amicably parted ways with the organization, signed a fresh contract to run the show for the Chicago Bulls.

That leaves five prominent NBA organizations with appealing coaching vacancies to fill. Furthermore, there are big names on the market led by recent Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni.

While his name has been linked to the coaching searches of various organizations, D’Antoni isn’t likely to go anywhere that’s not willing to cater to his coaching style and 3-point-oriented offense.

For as much is on the line for some of these coaches, there’s a lot on the line for NBA front offices as well. The five teams searching for replacement head coaches are the Thunder, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers. Interestingly enough, four of the five teams included were in the 2020 playoffs and the odd team out, New Orleans, has the rookie with the highest upside in basketball.

General managers and team presidents won’t be trying to fit square pegs into round holes. They need coaches who are prepared for the task ahead of them. Though certain options might work well with multiple teams, the coaches have been narrowed down so that none are repeated.