NBA Coaching Changes 2015: Tracking Rumors, Hires and Fires
The NBA offseason has officially begun for a number of teams now that the regular season is over, which means rumors will continue to circulate as to what head coaching changes to expect.
Continue for updates.
Thunder Fire Scott Brooks
Wednesday, April 22
Another head coaching vacancy has a emerged as the Oklahoma City Thunder have fired Scott Brooks. The team released a statement on the news, via Zach Harper of CBS Sports:
Despite the bad news for Brooks, it doesn't sound like he'll be out of work for very long, reported Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:
Per Wojnarowski, University of Florida head coach Billy Donovan is viewed as the top candidate to succeed Brooks in Oklahoma City due to his relationship with Thunder general manager Sam Presti: "Florida coach Billy Donovan is expected to become a serious candidate to replace Brooks, sources told Yahoo Sports. Presti has a longstanding friendship with Donovan, a two-time national championship coach who has been open about his interest in moving to the NBA."
Nuggets Begin Head Coach Search
Thursday, April 16
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Denver Nuggets have several candidates on their list in their head coaching search. Wojnarowski pointed out that the process "will include serious consideration of interim coach Melvin Hunt."
He added the following details regarding the early names being considered:
"Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly and president Josh Kroenke plan a broad search with a candidate list that will include – among others – ex-head coaches Michael Malone, Mike D'Antoni, Scott Skiles and Alvin Gentry, league sources said.
Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach David Vanterpool will be one of a handful of assistant coaches contacted about the job, sources said.
The search will include several college coaching candidates, including Florida's Billy Donovan and Iowa State's Fred Hoiberg, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
With the uncertain future of Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks, his potential availability on the market would make him a strong candidate for the Nuggets job, as well as Orlando's opening, league sources said.
"
Report: Michael Malone Wants to Coach Magic
Wednesday, April 15
Brian K. Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel has heard Malone is interested in taking over in Orlando:
"Yes, I'm told that former Sacramento Kings coach Michael Malone "would love to coach" the Orlando Magic.
— Brian K. Schmitz (@MagicInsider) April 15, 2015"
Malone had the Sacramento Kings off to a decent 11-13 start this season but was unexpectedly fired despite mounting some momentum. Based on the job he was doing turning things around in Sacramento, it stands to reason he could do something similar in his next stop.
The Magic job seems like an attractive one for Malone and others to pursue on paper. Perimeter players such as Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton appear to be keepers, and center Nikola Vucevic is a double-double machine.
Those are at least three promising pieces to build around right there. Orlando certainly hopes Aaron Gordon will develop and realize his potential, and it could also hold on to swingman Tobias Harris.
Report: Westbrook, Durant Will Decide Scott Brooks' Future with Thunder
Monday, April 13
Carson Cunningham of KOCO 5 in Oklahoma City reports that Thunder All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant will have the say as to whether head coach Scott Brooks stays on for the long haul:
Brooks inked a contract extension after the Thunder were eliminated in last year's playoffs. The relatively young roster still has a bunch of moving parts, and Durant's lengthy, injury-imposed hiatus this year contributed greatly to Oklahoma City missing the playoffs.
Cunningham explains that both Durant and Westbrook "love" Brooks and notes that general manager Sam Presti gives Brooks a ringing endorsement. However, Presti may consult Durant and Westbrook after next season to see whether they think Brooks is the answer. That could put Brooks' job security in jeopardy.
Pressure is mounting for the Thunder to win. They haven't built on their trip to the 2012 NBA Finals, and Durant is set to hit unrestricted free agency next offseason.
Whether Durant will be healthy enough to lead the way or if he'll want to stick around remains to be seen. Westbrook had an MVP-caliber season and kept OKC competitive, but his shot selection and tendency to be erratic also proved costly to some degree.
In a loaded Western Conference, any advantage Durant and Westbrook can perceive themselves to have has to be capitalized on—or at least listened to by the front office. Getting a purported upgrade in Brooks' stead may be part of the equation.
Mike D'Antoni Reportedly Interested in Denver Job
Tuesday, March 3
Sam Amick of USA Today floated Mike D'Antoni's name as a possible permanent successor shortly after the Nuggets fired Brian Shaw:
Players never bought in for Shaw, who was considered such a respectable hire, only to see his tenure in Denver go up in flames.
Although he hasn't gotten out of the first round of the playoffs in his two prior stops with New York and the Los Angles Lakers, D'Antoni would at least bring some excitement to the Nuggets. His brand of up-tempo offense fits Denver's current personnel quite well.
Speedy point guard Ty Lawson is an ideal catalyst for such a system, and versatile three-point marksman Danilo Gallinari played for D'Antoni with the Knicks. At least two of Denver's better players seem suited for D'Antoni if he replaces interim coach Melvin Hunt.
