5 NBA coaches likeliest to get fired over underwhelming playoff outings ft. Frank Vogel
NBA coaches getting the blame for under-performing teams is nothing new. On the contrary, it has become quite common for them to be dismissed if expectations are not met. Even if these bench tacticians are given less-than-favorable situations, a handful of them don’t last very long.
With the 2023-24 regular season winding down and the playoffs about to begin, some coaches may be under more scrutiny than others. A few have secured tenures regardless of where their respective teams will end up.
The basketball world will be stunned if Erik Spoelstra and Steve Kerr don't return for the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors, respectively.
A handful have been superb despite adversity so they will likely remain for at least another season.
Tom Thibodeau, Nick Nurse and Doc Rivers belong in the same boat. Many will be surprised if they’re not back for another tour of duty. The rest may be part of the next NBA coaching carousel next season.
NBA coaches who could be dismissed following disappointing playoff performances for their respective teams
#5 Billy Donovan
The Chicago Bulls have been to the playoffs just once since Billy Donovan arrived in September 2020.
Behind DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, Donovan guided the Bulls to the sixth seed in the 2022 Eastern Conference playoffs. They were sent home in just five games by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Last year, the Bulls were booted out by the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament despite holding a significant lead with three minutes remaining. This year, they could end up traveling the same route.
Injuries have hampered the Bulls’ 2022-23 NBA campaign, but the front office might consider getting another play-caller if Chicago is forced to an early vacation.
Billy Donovan might even force the Bulls to find his replacement. He could leave the NBA to coach Kentucky in college basketball.
#4 Willie Green
Willie Green was hired by the New Orleans Pelicans in the summer of 2021. Since his hiring, the former NBA journeyman has led his team past the regular season just once. The eighth-seeded Pelicans engaged the top-ranked Phoenix Suns in a slugfest before going home in six games.
New Orleans is sixth in the West, but with three games remaining, anything could still happen. If they tumble to the play-in tournament, where battle-scarred teams are lurking, Green could be in trouble.
If Willie Green can’t guide his team to secure an outright playoff spot and bomb out of the pre-postseason format, he could be axed.