🚨 COACHING JOBS OPEN (SO FAR)
🟣 1. Phoenix Suns
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Record: 36-46
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Fired: Mike Budenholzer (after Year 1 of a 5-year deal)
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Lead Executive: James Jones
🔼 Upside: Devin Booker + Kevin Durant (for now), proven vets
🔽 Downside: Coaching instability (4th coach in 4 years), luxury tax hell, no draft capital
Top Candidates:
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Michael Malone (fits Ishbia’s “championship coach” trend)
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Other high-profile names with locker room gravitas
🟡 2. Denver Nuggets
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Record: 50-32
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Fired: Michael Malone & GM Calvin Booth
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Lead Executive: TBD
🔼 Upside: Jokic still in his prime, Jamal Murray, a championship core
🔽 Downside: No GM in place, cap limitations, recent front office turmoil
Top Candidates:
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David Adelman (interim coach, 3–0 since promotion)
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Expect a serious, post-playoff search for long-term leadership
🔵 3. Memphis Grizzlies
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Record: 48-34
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Fired: Taylor Jenkins
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Lead Executive: Zach Kleiman
🔼 Upside: Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane = elite young core
🔽 Downside: Ja’s off-court drama, internal staff churn
Top Candidates:
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Tuomas Iisalo (interim from Europe, rising star)
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If Iisalo struggles in playoffs, expect pivot toward experienced NBA hands
🟢 4. Sacramento Kings
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Record: 40-42
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Fired: Mike Brown (Dec. 2024)
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Lead Executive: Monte McNair
🔼 Upside: Depth with Sabonis, LaVine, DeRozan, Keegan Murray
🔽 Downside: Chronic instability, no tax spending, rotating front office
Top Candidates:
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Doug Christie (interim coach, franchise favorite)
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Don’t rule out a flashy hire — maybe even a George Karl or Luke Walton return
🔍 COACHING CHAOS TO COME?
Last season saw seven head coach changes — three from playoff teams. 2025 might eclipse that number.
🧨 Hot Seats Heating Up:
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Chicago Bulls (Billy Donovan’s seat warms if LaVine isn’t the answer)
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Brooklyn Nets (Post-Kidd era direction unclear)
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Toronto Raptors (Full rebuild mode after Brandon Ingram trade)
💬 Final Word
This isn’t just a coaching carousel. It’s a full-blown NBA power reset. From Denver’s locker room friction to Phoenix’s win-now desperation, 2025 is testing the balance between trust and results.
