The coaching carousel can be one of the most intriguing things about the NBA offseason. Teams looking for a new direction search high and low for the right person to lead their team into a new era.
Now that the offseason is here for the 14 teams that didn’t make the playoffs, they’ll evaluate their coaching situations to see if a change is needed.
The Knicks‘ Jeff Hornacek, the Magic’s Frank Vogel and the Hornets‘ Steve Clifford have already gotten the axe. We’ll continue to update this post with the latest firings, hires and rumors from around the league.
NBA 2018 Coaching Carousel
Rumors
- Knicks rumors: New York is setting up meetings with the following candidates: Mike Woodson, David Fizdale, Jerry Stackhouse, Mark Jackson, Kenny Smith, current Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer and former Cavaliers coach David Blatt, who is coaching in Europe, per ESPN. The team has reportedly not shown interest in Jeff Van Gundy for its vacant position. The Knicks are also wading into the college waters to check if two-time NCAA Tournament champion Jay Wright is interested in the position. Our Gary Parrish says it would seem like an unlikely partnership. Budenholzer, meanwhile, is targeting the vacancy in New York.
- Suns rumors: Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has withdrawn his name from consideration, according to ESPN. The same report notes that Jay Triano, David Fizdale, Steve Clifford, Kevin McHale and Frank Vogel are among the candidates. Fizdale is scheduled to interview for the opening, according to the New York Times.
- Hornets rumors: Charlotte is setting up meetings with the following candidates: Spurs assistants Ettore Messina and Ime Udoka, former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale and Jerry Stackhouse.
- Magic rumors: The Magic plan to interview Jerry Stackhouse, according to ESPN. Blazers coach Terry Stotts is reportedly on the hot seat, and if he’s fired, the Magic will show interest, according to the New York Times.
- Pistons rumors: Pistons coach and president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy will meet with owner Tom Gores to discuss his future with the organization next week, according to ESPN.
- Hawks rumors: Current Hawks coach, Mike Budenholzer, reportedly is unhappy with Atlanta’s future plans. He is interviewing with the Knicks and recently withdrew his name from consideration in Phoenix.
Possible coaching candidates
- David Blatt, 58, former Cavaliers coach; current Turkish Super League coach
- Mike Budenholzer, current Hawks coach
- Steve Clifford, 56, former Hornets coach
- David Fizdale, 43, former Grizzlies coach
- Jeff Hornacek, 54, former Knicks and Suns coach
- Mark Jackson, 53, former Warriors coach; current TV analyst
- Jason Kidd, 45, former Nets and Bucks coach
- Ettore Messina, 58, current Spurs assistant
- Kenny Smith, 53, current TV analyst
- Jerry Stackhouse, 43, current G League coach (Raptors 905)
- Ime Udoka, 40, current Spurs assistant
- Jeff Van Gundy, 56, former Knicks and Rockets coach; current TV analyst
- Frank Vogel, 44, former Magic and Pacers coach
- Mike Woodson, 60, former Hawks and Knicks coach; current Clippers assistant
- Jay Wright, 56, current Villanova coach and two-time NCAA Tournament champion
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