Luke Walton became the first head coach to be let go during the 2021/22 NBA season earlier this week, but he may not be the last.
Although coaching changes happen most frequently in the spring once a team’s season has ended, some clubs decide not to wait that long, preferring to get a head-start on the transition midway through the year. Given the success Nate McMillan had in turning the Hawks’ season around when he took over for Lloyd Pierce in March, it’s possible we’ll see a couple more teams besides the Kings try to replicate that reversal of fortune with an in-season change.
With that in mind, we want to know which head coaches you believe will be most at risk during the 2021/22 season.
A report earlier today from Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report suggested that Stephen Silas of the Rockets may be the next coach to find himself on the hot seat. Houston has been the NBA’s worst team so far this season, with a 1-16 record, a 15-game losing streak, and a last-place ranking in several important offensive categories.
Still, the Rockets didn’t enter the season with postseason aspirations, and Silas has another year left on his contract after this season. Would a team on track to finish at the bottom of the NBA standings really be in a rush to make a midseason change and commit to paying two coaches for the next year-and-a-half, with a playoff berth seemingly multiple years away?
Sports betting site BetOnline.ag has Silas listed third in its odds for the next NBA head coach to be fired. Pistons head coach Dwane Casey, whose team is off to a 4-13 start, is atop that list. Like Silas, Casey wasn’t expected to lead his club to the playoffs this season, but there was an expectation that the Pistons would perhaps be a little more competitive than they have been.
On the other hand, with the exception of a blowout home loss to the Kings, the Pistons have been beaten by good teams so far, and all indications are that the organization thinks highly of Casey. In fact, he signed a contract extension just six months ago, locking him up through 2023/24. If things really go south in Detroit this season, maybe he finds himself on the hot seat, but I’m skeptical we’re at that point yet.
BetOnline.ag lists Frank Vogel of the Lakers between Casey and Silas as the second-most likely candidate to be the next coach fired.
The Lakers entered the season with championship aspirations but have underachieved so far, posting a 9-10 record. LeBron James‘ absences due to injuries and a one-game suspension have contributed to Los Angeles’ struggles (the team is 4-7 without him), but even with James in the lineup, the club has looked disjointed and inconsistent.
Like Casey, Vogel received a contract extension earlier this year. However, that extension didn’t really represent a massive vote of confidence. Entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed in 2019, Vogel had just one year tacked onto his deal, despite winning a title in 2020. Since his one-year extension only covers 2022/23, it wouldn’t necessarily preclude the Lakers from making a change if their struggles continue.
What do you think? Are Silas, Casey, or Vogel in any real trouble yet? Is there another head coach whose job security looks more tenuous to you? Do you think we’ll get any more in-season coaching changes in 2021/22?
Head to the comment section below to weigh in with your thoughts!
Vogel is in much greater danger of being fired than Silas.
Man, you’ve got to be kidding me
Vogel is one of the top 5 coaches in the nba
Vogel is far better than the following coaches
Suns
Nets
Knicks
76ers
Clippers
Lakers need to trade away Westbrook
So what if he is? With the Lakers struggling, what do you think their options are besides firing the head coach? It’s up to LeBron really.
No shot.
Trading Westbrook would be almost as difficult as trading Wall.
As long as LA continues to struggle, the blame will all fall on Vogel.
Suns
Nets
Knicks
76ers
Clippers
Man, you’ve got to be kidding me
These are not coaches
these are teams
Fire
Laker fans didn’t want trez, or Drummond back, yet they wanted Dwight(only god knows why), so pelinka gets him. Deandre isn’t working out, so fans complain that AD should start at the 5, voguel makes that adjustment. Now that they’re still losing, they want Russ to come off the bench(which WE all know isn’t realistic). Instead of blaming bron & pelinka. Voguel is already getting set up as the scapegoat for all of this.
Someone here was saying that Westbrook and Anthony Davis shouldn’t be on the court together for more than 5 minutes each game. Which is of course impossible with both of them averaging 35 minutes per game (so they have to be on the court together at least 22 minutes with that much PT).
Praying for these coaches
It’s all too common for team owners and executives to blame their head coaches for slow starts when key rotation players are out due to injuries.
The NBA Coaches’ Association doesn’t appear to have enough clout. One would think they’d litigate, or at least arbitrate, the egregiously bad firings. If they do, it doesn’t often make the news.
link to nbacoaches.com
Of the three mentioned I think Lakers coach is stronger one. I know the Rockets coach with what he has been dealt with with last season and rebuilding this season but myself needs to do something to turn the team around somewhat at least. Silas has been an assistant for so long he has no team really or set lineup. But the Lakers a bigger named team and getting all they got over off season so them not living up to their name. But I do not who is in more danger between Casey and Silas.
Rockets probably just want to make sure the young talent is being developed and showing growth. Eric Gordon and John Wall need to be dealt too, but that may never happen with their contracts.
Rockets gonna have either Holmgren or Banchero next year and hope they pick two stars.
I’ve believe that coach Vogel will be removed and replaced with Fitzdale. Fitzdale has the players ears and he would be able to motivate the team and make the necessary changes to get more out of this current roster. I also believe that there will be some trades coming!!!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hi hi hi hi hi Ho hi hi hi hi hi ha ha ha Ho Ho hi ha Ho ha haaaaaaa
Fizdale …….. better off with Silas
Silas is in it for the long haul, he’s not going for the quick fix.
The Rockets are going to give him as much time as he needs.
Hot seat for Jim Boylen with Team USA, they are not exhibiting the toughness expected.
Come on Luke no one expected HOU to compete more than they are doing & much less DET!
Clearly to me DET is by far the worst team in the EC, so they are overachieving so far by placing above ORL which clearly is a superior team, despite the fiasco named Suggs!
But either way is never a bad thing to get rid of bad HC’s even if we knew they were gonna do bad!
Bulls saved Silas’ job last night, pathetic lack of effort.