Now that the Knicks and Nets have hired new head coaches, there are four NBA clubs that have coaching openings to fill. Those teams are the Bulls, Pacers, Pelicans, and Sixers, and each head coaching job comes with some pros and cons.
In Chicago, for instance, there’s a solid group of promising young players – including Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter, Coby White, and this year’s No. 4 overall pick – and expectations shouldn’t be overly high for the first year or two, since the team is still in the process of rebuilding.
The Bulls are somewhat lacking in star power, however, which may limit the team’s ceiling. That’s not the case in Philadelphia, where the Sixers have a pair of All-Stars – Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons – on long-term contracts.
That’s a great foundation to build upon, but the new 76ers head coach will be tasked with solving a puzzle that Brett Brown couldn’t — figuring out how to get the most of Embiid and Simmons together on offense. With Tobias Harris and Al Horford earning nearly $62MM combined in 2020/21, the team’s ability to make upgrades around its two stars will be limited, so maximizing the current roster will be paramount.
The Pelicans also have some star power that could appeal to a head coaching candidate, with Jrue Holiday serving as the team’s veteran leader, while Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are the rising young stars. It’s certainly an intriguing job, but Holiday is entering a contract year, Ingram is about to get very expensive, and Williamson hasn’t yet proven he can consistently remain healthy. Expectations in New Orleans are rising, putting added pressure on the team’s next head coach.
Meanwhile, in Indiana, Victor Oladipo is entering a contract year and it’s not clear whether or not he envisions a long-term future with the Pacers, which could complicate matters for a new head coach. Still, there’s a lot to work with here. Even if Oladipo and/or Myles Turner end up on the trade block at some point, the Pacers could get a strong return for either player and can lean on the likes of Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, and T.J. Warren.
What do you think? If you were a head coaching candidate with equal offers in hand from the Bulls, Pacers, Pelicans, and Sixers, which job would you take? Which one would be the least appealing, in your opinion?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to weigh in with your two cents!
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I vote Pelicans because I believe they offer double more money than other 3 teams
I don’t believe any of other teams offer More than $3 million
Don’t offer 3 million per year
Very cheap
They paid Brett 5 a year. That would be the starting point if you’re bringing in a coach you expect to be BETTER than him.
Sixers, if Embiid can be traded for a rich return.
Embiid isn’t the problem. If the Sixers didn’t have a dumb GM who refused to surround Embiid and Simmons with shooters then fit wouldn’t be a problem.
Since this page is about coaches not GMs, using a perspective of blame is probably more accurate. The Bulls or Sixers jobs could make a coach look good by turning them around, but finding the future Oladipo or Sabonis in a Lavine trade is better news for the GM! After all HC Mcmillan was fired, GM Pritchard not.
Bulls have the lowest expectations but the least talent. I don’t think any coach who goes to any of the other teams is surviving their contract because the expectations outweigh the talent.
Expectation
76ers win Championship because of huge luxury tax
Pacers beat Heat Bucks Celtics or Raptors
Pelicans make playoffs
While I agree the Pelicans have a low bar as well I worry that if Zion doesn’t develope into a top 5 player in the next 2 years they’ll be looking for a new coach.
I like the Bulls. They were horribly coached and they play close to zero defense, so there’s a lot of room for improvement. A good coach could get some results very quickly.
Bulls have nothing going for them except Colby White at this point. LaVine and Markkanen are likely to be traded. Maybe they take a bad contract for Otto Porter and draft capital (Griffin, Horford, Barnes). But as currently constructed, they are a lottery team for the next 5 years.
If they made some shrewd moves, maybe that’s an intriguing spot. But they need a complete overhaul.
One of LaVine or Markkanen should be moved because they’re not the best fit together. I wouldn’t move both, though. White, the pick and whichever of the 2 you keep isn’t a bad base.
Pelican have young talent. And already a couple of stars. So yeah it’s probably most desirable. To me all all 4 have pieces in place. Sixers and Bulls are major markets. Success there means major returns. Sixers are most ready to compete now. They need readjustment but are ready now.
Not to mention the draft picks for the pelicans
Pacers. No bad contracts and have the benefit of being in the east.
Should probably be #2 after the Pelicans.
Why would anyone want the Chicago or Philly job?
I’d take the Bulls job. There wouldn’t be a ton of pressure and I’d have a largely blank slate to build my way.
I wouldn’t go anywhere near the Philly bench. No thank you.
Agree Bulls would be best. Philly is a train wreck. Remind us why the tanked for a decade to wind up with that roster?
Really just depends if you like gumbo or cheesesteak more. Both have good foundational pieces.
The Sixers have had their pieces for years now and have done absolutely nothing with them while the Pelicans have had Zion for just one season. If Zion can find a way to stay healthy next season his team could become a force in the West.
For a moment I thought you were talking about HOU, with having their pieces for years & winning absolutely nothing!!!
D’Antoni 70 years old
Ty Lue 44 years old
Pacers like 70，do not like 44
if you want marriage you take 70
76ers my idea To hire coach
make it clear to the world
5 years contract at 55 million
3 million base Salary 8 million bonus
Bonus to win conference 2 million
Bonus to win title 6 million
Team option on third year
You’re not going to get a top coach for that offer. It’s essentially a 5yr 15m dollar deal, if I’m understanding you correctly. There is nothing to suggest the 76ers can win a title. You’re also putting a team option on it after two?
Sixers went to Semis last yr. How quickly we forget. It took 4 bounces for Raptors to win. Sixers would of beat Raptors. Then they let Jimmy go and signed Horford. What is yrs mean. Last yr they got Harris n Butler during season. So they weren’t even together a yr. The coach who was fired. Was responsible for Jimmy leaving. That why they signed Harris. All this happened a year ago. They should Of signed Kemba or DAngelo instead of Horford. They would be in East Finals this yr. IMO they are not hard to fix. A great Centers best friend is a real PG. Philly is starving for a contender. You coach well there. You will be a god. Like Eagles winning SB. Their two stars are Embiid 26, Simmons 24. Harris is only 28. Horford for a PG goes a long way to making this right. I’ll take the job lols