There are five NBA head-coaching vacancies: the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Indiana Pacers. From an objective standpoint, all five of these jobs have lure. It's a matter of which ones have an edge over the others.
Here's how the five situations stack up against each other.
5) Chicago Bulls
The Bulls have a compelling young core: Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Coby White, and Wendell Carter Jr. Those individuals bring a unique offensive skill set to the table. Plus, the Bulls will add another player to build around with the fourth pick in this year's NBA Draft.
Whoever patrols the sidelines in the Windy City next season is tasked with developing a young core. They're extremely talented but haven't turned a collective corner. Furthermore, you could argue that the Bulls are just as talented as the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic, yet they went 22-43 this season.
While every rebuilding team is in the same boat when it comes to holding their young players in high esteem, the Bulls have competition from other rebuilding teams in the East; the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, and New York Knicks are making strides.
Creeping into the playoffs and/or getting this Bulls team to be more productive offensively will be easier said than done.
4) Indiana Pacers
The Pacers extended Nate McMillan and then fired him two weeks later after they were swept in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Classy, right? Nonetheless, the Pacers need a coach to get them through this competitive stagnation phase they're in.
Albeit Victor Oladipo could be traded in the offseason, this is a fundamentally sound two-way team. A combination of Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, and Jeremy Lamb is a plausible starting point for any team. The issue here is they've had no playoff success.
Oladipo played for a Pacers team that went 30-17 without him and finished the 2019-20 regular season 45-28; they've been eliminated in the first round in each of the last five seasons. Under McMillan, the Pacers were a defensive-minded, halfcourt team. They played well against isolation and perimeter offense, and they get teams playing at their pace when they do so effectively. Subsequently, they make a lot of extra passes and rely on perimeter shooting late in the shot clock.
Even if they keep Oladipo, are the Pacers better than the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and a healthy Brooklyn Nets team?
3) New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have a dynamic young core, spearheaded by Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson; the two frontline players dazzled on the NBA floor this season. They also have young players looking to break out who have shown potential like Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Jaxson Hayes.
This group is accompanied by productive veterans who have an abundance of experience in high-stakes games like Jrue Holiday, JJ Redick, and Derrick Favors — if he re-signs. The Pelicans missed the playoffs by just four games this season. That said, the Western Conference is historically loaded, and there are rumors about Ball getting traded.
All eight teams in the Western Conference playoffs are sturdy teams with a bevy of high-profile players. Outside the playoffs, there are teams who have the same mindset as the Pelicans in that they are ready to make the playoff jump (Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings). Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors will be healthy.
There could be some new young faces in the building, and there are zero guarantees in the West, no matter how deep the Pelicans' youth movement runs.
2) Brooklyn Nets
Do you want to coach Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in New York City? If so, this job is right up your alley.
The two NBA superstars should be full-go next season and are two of the elite scorers and players in the NBA. They'll be playing alongside a roster that's deep and complements itself. Caris LeVert is blossoming into a star; Spencer Dinwiddie is a steady scorer; Jarrett Allen is one of the better centers in the sport; Taurean Prince has upside.
The Nets should be able to compete with any team in the East next season. They have the star power, depth, and fit to flourish. With any great prospect, though, comes pivotal questions. Will Durant and Irving go over their coach's head to complain or request a new coach? Can the new coach get all the pieces to gel given all these individuals haven't played a single game together?
Brooklyn will be a tantalizing force in the East. The head coach will play a vital role in how much of a force they are.
1) Philadelphia 76ers
After failing to get past the second round of the NBA playoffs and firing head coach Brett Brown, the setting seems tense in Philly, and rightfully so. At the same time, this team has the talent to contend and merely needs some strategic fine-tuning.
Joel Embiid is one of the elite big men in the NBA; Ben Simmons is a physical specimen, exhibited on both ends of the floor; Tobias Harris is a slimy scorer; Al Horford can interchangeably play inside and out; Josh Richardson is an athletic two-way player. The issue is fit and players being labeled as overpaid (Harris and Horford signed for a combined $289 million last summer).
The 76ers need players who complement their franchise players, which means acquiring outside shooting and scoring. Talent is aplenty with this team. They need players who fit in with their core's skill sets and a coach who has a vision for getting the best out of Simmons and Embiid; they could each be more impactful from a winning standpoint. This is a hungry roster, a fan base beginning to smell its championship window closing, and an organization with the talent to break through.
The next coach inherits a compelling situation in Philly.
Follow Us
Subscribe