NBA Head Coaches Who Could Be Next After Grizzlies' Taylor Jenkins Firing
The NBA world was shocked by Taylor Jenkins' firing—not so much that Memphis fired its coach, but more so the timing for the playoff-bound Grizzlies. Despite rumblings that the franchise might go in a different direction, it's more commonly an offseason move.
With that in mind, which coaches may be next on the hot seat for a more typical change this summer?
The free-agent market for coaches includes veterans Frank Vogel, James Borrego, Terry Stotts, Jenkins, etc. First-time hires could include Sam Cassell, Chris Quinn, Becky Hammon, Lindsey Harding, Sean Sweeney, Micah Nori, David Adelman or even an NCAA coach looking to leap to the pros.
The following is a list of coaches whose positions may be in danger in the coming weeks.
Tuomas Iisalo, Memphis Grizzlies
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The Grizzlies handed the reins from Jenkins to Tuomas Iisalo, who was brought on as an assistant in July. It was widely interpreted that Iisalo was a front office hire instead of Jenkins' decision, raising some warranted doubt about the incumbent's future.
Iisalo led Paris Basketball to the 2024 EuroCup Finals, earning Coach of the Year. Now he's a head coach in the NBA, albeit with the interim tag. He may prove to be the Grizzlies' top candidate for next year, or he could be a placeholder.
Should he be judged by his squad's postseason performance? That's a lot to ask of a coach getting his first lead NBA job with only a few weeks left in the season.
The Grizzlies have Ja Morant and Desmond Bane under long-term contracts, but they face a crucial summer with All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. heading into his final season. If Memphis clears cap space, Jackson could renegotiate and extend his deal this summer, so his relationship with Iisalo could be a significant factor in the team's coaching direction.
Doug Christie, Sacramento Kings
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Doug Christie is another interim head coach, taking over for Mike Brown in late December (the Kings surprised with the decision, but it was more timely than the Grizzlies with Jenkins). A former player from the team's heyday, Christie did broadcast for the franchise for years before joining the bench as an assistant.
Through 43 games, he has a winning record (23-20), which required adjustments on the fly with the De'Aaron Fox trade that brought in Zach LaVine. Christie must fight to keep his spot this summer unless the franchise removes the interim tag before then.
His fate may depend on whether he can help hold off the Phoenix Suns for the final play-in spot (the Kings are No. 10 in the Western Conference). Sacramento can still catch Dallas for home court in the play-in game. A win will give the Kings one more win-or-go-home chance to grab the No. 8 seed in the West for a first-round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Willie Green, New Orleans Pelicans
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The Pelicans have seemed iffy on Willie Green after not advancing as far as hoped in recent years. He's gotten the franchise to two playoff series, but only has a pair of victories over 11 first-round games.
This season has been a complete disaster, with injuries throughout (Dejounte Murray, Zion Williamson, and, before the trade, Brandon Ingram). Should Green take the fall for his team's lack of health? No, but "fair" isn't usually part of the equation, and it's probably easy timing for the franchise to let him go with 21 wins through the first 75 games.
While Iisalo and Christie have credible cases to continue, Green seems the most likely to be let go.
Mike Budenholzer, Phoenix Suns
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The Suns have shuffled through head coaches from Monty Williams to Frank Vogel to Mike Budenholzer without sustained success. At some point, it's worth asking if maybe it's not the coach but roster composition that's the problem.
Phoenix had higher expectations than 11th in the West, but the team can still claw through the play-in to draw a difficult first-round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The likely result is a long offseason. Will the Suns self-reflect and blow up their core entirely? Or will the franchise pay off another coach, letting Budenholzer go as a scapegoat?
The buzz suggests the latter, though many NBA sources anticipate Kevin Durant will push for a new home this summer.
Chauncey Billups, Portland Trail Blazers
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The good news for Chauncey Billups, who seemed destined to be on the move based on where he stood before the season began, is that the Blazers have exceeded expectations. A play-in berth isn't entirely out of the question, though a recent slide probably puts it out of reach.
Still, the Blazers were fun to watch this season, especially with the emergence of Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara. Scoot Henderson improved throughout the year, and Donovan Clingan showed real promise at center.
Billups could get a new deal in Portland, though the NBA being what it is, it's best not to celebrate an extension until the ink is dry on a contract.
Honorable Mention
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Given the state of all 30 teams, the coaches above should be the only question marks this season. Of course, one of the joys of the NBA is that the league doesn't usually go to script.
The Philadelphia 76ers were horrid this season, and while injuries to Joel Embiid, Jared McCain and Paul George were primarily to blame, Nick Nurse could take the fall for a brutal year.
The Denver Nuggets are widely understood to have a rift between executive Calvin Booth and coach Mike Malone. The prospect of Malone getting fired doesn't add up, but it's worth noting.
Finally, the San Antonio Spurs will wait to see if Gregg Popovich can return next year after suffering a mild stroke. Mitch Johnson has held the position in the interim and is most likely to take over the role in the long term, if necessary. Still, as Iisalo and Christie can attest, the interim tag does not promise job security.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him @EricPincus on X and Bluesky.
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