5 highest paid NBA coaches explored as Monty Williams signs for Pistons in a massive deal

Sometimes, all it takes is the right coach to maximize the full potential of an NBA team. A bench tactician could sometimes be the difference between a championship and an early offseason.

In some ways, coaches have become nearly as impactful as the players. The most accomplished and maybe those considered with great potential are surprisingly well-paid.

Here are the NBA’s best-paid coaches:

#5 Rick Carlisle ($7.25 million)

The Indiana Pacers head coach was previously a little lower down this leader before three of the most accomplished NBA bench leaders were axed. Doc Rivers, Mike Budenholzer and Nick Nurse were in the $8 million range before their respective teams decided to go different routes.

Breaking: The Pacers are hiring Rick Carlisle as head coach, sources tell @espn_macmahon.

Carlisle will sign a 4-year, $29 million contract, according to MacMahon. https://t.co/4UTc8Taxzo

Rick Carlisle led the Dallas Mavericks to the 2011 NBA championship before signing a four-year, $29 million deal with the Pacers. Carlisle is also credited for building the 2000s Detroit Pistons which were perennial title contenders.

He was, however, no longer with the team when Detroit eventually won it in 2004 with Larry Brown manning the sidelines.

#4 Erik Spoelstra ($8.5 million)

The man considered by many to be the best in the business is playing in his sixth NBA Finals. He is hoping to win his third championship at the expense of the Denver Nuggets in this year’s championship series.

Erik Spoelstra’s story is well-documented. He started his career in Miami as a video coordinator. He slowly rose the ranks until Pat Riley named him the head coach in 2008.

The NBA Finals are nothing new for Coach Spo ♨️ https://t.co/gg4F87VpPS

“Spo” coached the Miami Heat to four straight Finals appearances from 2011 to 2014. He was the man behind the scenes guiding LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to two NBA titles.