Now that the Nets have abruptly parted ways with highly-respected head coach Kenny Atkinson, there is one more big-ticket name available for this summer’s intriguing coaching carousel. With several other teams potentially looking to make coaching changes in the offseason, we at Hoops Rumors felt it was high time to speculate wildly about summer 2020 coaching hires.
There may be coaching vacancies among several glamor NBA franchises, including the Knicks, Nets (Atkinson’s Nets replacement, Jacque Vaughn, will be merely an interim coach this season), Bulls, Rockets and Sixers.
Atkinson served as an assistant coach in New York and Atlanta before finally getting a crack at the lead job in Brooklyn. He coached the rebuilding Nets, without a single All-Star, to an impressive 42-40 record and a playoff berth last season. At 28-34, the team is currently the No. 7 seed in the East, despite All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant appearing in a combined 20 games this year.
Mike D’Antoni is a coaching free agent this summer, and even if Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta may be wary of bringing him back, he will not be hurting for work. A great 212-95 regular season record, a Coach of the Year Award in 2016/17, and one Western Conference Finals appearance should ensure that.
Though interim Knicks head coach Mike Miller has coached a hapless New York squad to a competent 15-26 record, his job security has been openly challenged by Knicks brand manager Steve Stoute. Miller may have done enough in a tough environment to warrant a look from another franchise.
Top assistant coaches like Becky Hammon with the Spurs, Tyronn Lue with the Clippers, Adrian Griffin with the Raptors and Nate Tibbetts with the Trail Blazers could all get a head coaching opportunity this summer.
We want to know what you think. Who are the best available coaches on the market this summer? Which teams would match best with which available or potentially-available coaches?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts!
It’s funny that Becky Hammon was even mentioned. Adrian Griffin might actually be a good signing, unless it’s completely the Nurse show up there.
Why is it funny that Becky Hammon was mentioned?
I guess it has to be because she’s a woman?
It’s not like she isn’t well respected around the game and hasn’t already been considered for head coaching gigs. I don’t think she gets one now, but more likely in a few years’ time.
She’s been an assistant for how long? And rarely do great players make great coaches. Lastly, why would she leave or sa let her go? Especially when she has a chance to learn from pop, then Duncan, and then she can get her own team. I’m pretty sure the better route would’ve been college hoops for her but this is the path she has chosen and that’s how I believe she’ll gain the most success in this league. A lot of coaches flane out early when they ride to fast. The whole icarus thing.
So she’s a Spur AC forever then. No humor or irony apparent. Another mess.
But then I’m womanish you say when getting back up.
Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and I have also appeared in a combined 20 games this year.
Looney is that you?
The best available coach is Phil Jackson. But he’s probably not coming back.
Seriously though, the one guy I really would like to get a shot somewhere is Patrick Ewing. Imagine him coaching Joel Embiid.
Jackson is dated and senile and hasn’t coached in forever he’s not coming back. Nobody wants to see him force the triangle on any other franchise.
D’Antoni’s regular season record with Houston is a lot more impressive than his overall record of 667-522 including the other 4 teams he coached for.
The Rockets are also a perfect fit for him in terms of philosophy, and while the league has increasingly adapted that style of play, D’Antoni hasn’t shown the ability to adapt to his players over the years.
He’d be a likely pass for me.
Ex-players I know something about are Jarron Collins (GSW) and Brent Barry. Barry is on TV and may rather be a GM. Stackhouse was mostly known for hand size but people live & learn and an observer should too.
Jordi Fernandez was my fav for the Cavs job but they say they’re sticking with Bickerstaff. He’s a Euro non-player not a Mexican so may not sell tickets for a Southwestern team.
Mike Brown’s name rarely comes up… why is that?
Mark Jackson is a solid candidate.
He helped turn around that GSW in 3 years he went from 23:43 to 51:31 and started the dynasty there. They made the playoffs twice losing in the first round but taking 2 wins against a strong Spurs team that had Duncan Ginobilli Leonard and Parker. Then taking 3 wins from a strong Clippers team of Paul Griffin Jordan Billups and Bledsoe.
Not sure how much say he had but in those 3 years he drafted Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli and Draymond Green. He also picked up Kent Bazemore as a free agent who went undrafted.
Id take him if I’m Philly, Atlanta or either of the New York teams. Id also say Atkinson is a great coach and would do well with a bunch of other teams.
Atkinson would be a late add for a lot of posters I think. “Hire him fast for the ____!”