After no NBA teams made coaching changes during the 2017 offseason, the league seemingly made up for lost time this summer. Eight clubs have replaced their head coaches since the 2017/18 season ended, with a ninth (the Grizzlies) announcing that their interim coach (J.B. Bickerstaff) would get the permanent job.
In some cases, these coaching changes functioned as a game of musical chairs. Dwane Casey was fired by the Raptors but quickly caught on with the Pistons. Steve Clifford, having been dismissed by the Hornets, was hired by the Magic. David Fizdale joined the Knicks less than a year after being let go by the Grizzlies. And Mike Budenholzer was scooped up by the Bucks shortly after parting ways with the Hawks.
In other cases, teams opted for fresh blood in the head coaching ranks. New Hornets coach James Borrego and Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce are veteran assistants getting their first shot at a head coaching job. The same goes for new Suns coach Igor Kokoskov, the NBA’s first European-born head coach, and Nick Nurse of the Raptors, who got a promotion to replace the reigning Coach of the Year.
In today’s poll, we want to know which of these offseason hires you liked the best. Your choice doesn’t necessarily have to be the one that will improve his new team’s win-loss record most significantly in 2018/19, but rather the hiring that will pay the most dividends in the long run.
Here’s a recap of all eight coaching changes this offseason:
- Atlanta Hawks: Hired Lloyd Pierce to replace Mike Budenholzer.
- Charlotte Hornets: Hired James Borrego to replace Steve Clifford.
- Detroit Pistons: Hired Dwane Casey to replace Stan Van Gundy.
- Milwaukee Bucks: Hired Mike Budenholzer to replace Joe Prunty (interim).
- New York Knicks: Hired David Fizdale to replace Jeff Hornacek.
- Orlando Magic: Hired Steve Clifford to replace Frank Vogel.
- Phoenix Suns: Hired Igor Kokoskov to replace Jay Triano (interim).
- Toronto Raptors: Hired Nick Nurse to replace Dwane Casey.
What do you think? Which move did you like the best? Vote below in our poll and jump into the comment section to share your two cents.
Trade Rumors app users, click here to vote.
Bud
Bucks took an w
Fizdale and it’s not close.
My 3 yr old nephew woulda been an upgrade here
I think Игор Стефан Кокошков will see to the Suns rising in the West, leading to a trend of hiring Eastern European coaches in the NBA.
Has to be Budenholzer for Milwaukee, though I find intriguing as well the hiring of Lloyd by Atlanta. The worst is gotta be Casey to Detroit.
The guy whose middle name is Steve, Beograd being Europe’s most intriguing capitol.