NBA coaching carousel: Firings, hirings, what’s next for each job

It’s been relatively quiet on the NBA’s coaching carousel New Orleans Pelicans (Willie Green in November) and this milwaukee bucks (Doc Rivers on Sunday) the only franchise so far to make the change.

But with many more coaching jobs expected to open, let’s examine the positions currently available, the advantages and disadvantages of each position and who could step in this offseason.

milwaukee bucks

2025-26 records: 32-50
Previous Coach: doctor rivers
Chief Executive: John Horst (appointed June 2017)

Why is this job open: As this season goes off the rails giannis antetokounmpo With the team shut down due to injuries and facing a lottery pick for the first time in a decade, it quickly became clear that Rivers, who was elected to the Hall of Fame last month, was headed for the exit. It remains to be seen who else will join them from the organization, but this franchise could look very different when training camp begins in September for the 2026-27 season.

Positive aspects of the job: If Antetokounmpo is still on the Bucks’ roster next season, it wouldn’t hurt to develop one of the best players on the planet. And if he’s not on the roster, that means he’s been moved in a trade that could completely reshape both Milwaukee’s roster and asset sheet, giving the new coach some interesting options. Some lottery luck next month will definitely help.

Negative aspects of the job: The Bucks’ roadmap is full of challenges. With $20 million in rebates and expansion damian lillardWith a contract on the books for the next four seasons, as well as a lack of draft capital due to the trade to acquire him, it will be difficult to add impact players to the roster. If Antetokounmpo is not traded, the Bucks are unlikely to fare much better next season amid the ongoing saga.

New Orleans Pelicans

2025-26 records: 26-56
Previous Coach: Willie Green (Fired on 15 November; James Borrego appointed interim coach)
Chief Executive: Joe Dumars (appointed April 2025)

Why is this job open: It was one of the league’s worst-kept secrets that New Orleans would want to replace Green. And Borrego’s extended job interview showed he still has what it takes to be an NBA head coach as the season progressed, given the wins he’s had with this roster — and especially after the Pelicans returned some injured veterans. But there is important work to do in New Orleans.

Positive aspects of the job: There is talent here. zion williamson Perhaps his best, and certainly most watchable, season is coming. Trey Murphy III And herb jones Has quality two-way fans.

Negative aspects of the job: There are questions about the lack of overall funding in the franchise based on ownership, as well as much-needed investment in the team area. The decision to trade the 2026 lottery pick, as well as the decision to trade last season’s first-round pick derrick queen His condition worsened as he dropped from the starting lineup. There’s still plenty of money left for next season Jordan Poole And for the next two seasons Dejounte MurrayBoth match suspiciously. It won’t be easy to get this team back to a playoff spot in the West.