NBA Coach Hot Seat Watch: Who will be the next coach fired?

NBA Head Coach Hot Seat Watch: No. 1 – Luke Walton, Sacramento Kings

The tenure of Luke Walton in Sacramento started off bumpy, with legal allegations souring the honeymoon period. The Kings showed signs of life but ultimately finished well outside of the postseason picture. Fast forward one season, and that looks to be the case again for a Kings team languishing in 12th at 22-33, losers of eight straight.

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De’Aaron Fox has become an All-Star level player under Walton’s watch, but that trajectory looked to be happening when Walton arrived. Tyrese Haliburton has been a much-needed surprise as a rookie, and Walton has seemed to find a rhythm with his backcourt rotation. Harrison Barnes has re-established himself as an above-average starter on the wing. Richaun Holmes has gone from rotation big to a deserving starter.

Yet what do the Kings have to show for these glimpses of light? Very little hope, either now or moving forward. Fox, Barnes and Buddy Hield have helped prop up the offense, which ranks a respectable 12th. That has been completely overwhelmed by their 30th-ranked defense, combining for the league’s 25th-ranked net rating.

In short, the Kings have very little to show for Walton’s tenure; no obvious path up the standings, no real excuse to explain away Walton’s performance. It has only been two seasons, two shorter-that-normal seasons played under extreme circumstances. But he can’t even point to a team culture being refined through fire; while there aren’t any major fissures, there have been rumors of him clashing with players on the team, namely Buddy Hield.

Another disappointing season is turning the heat up to scorching on Walton’s coaching seat. Barring the unexpected, like a surge into the play-in or Walton uncovering blackmail for upper management, his seat is the hottest. Expect Luke Walton to be the next NBA head coach fired.