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Ranking 11 Potential NBA Coaches for 2024: From Mike Budenholzer to JJ Redick
Apr
SportySwagZone ranks 11 talented yet unemployed coaches. These are individuals who can change the fate of a team, bring about difference, and are ready to embrace new challenges.
Ranking 11 Potential NBA Coaches for 2024
- Mike Budenholzer
Regular season record: 484-317 (60.4%)
Playoff record: 56-48 (53.8%)
Budenholzer has twice been named NBA Coach of the Year. His teams consistently perform well in the regular season, with his peak being the 2021 NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks, his fifth ring overall as a coach. Prior to that, he won four NBA titles as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs.
Budenholzer is an experienced coach, excelling in both regular season and playoff settings, making him a coveted leader for ambitious teams.
- Chris Quinn
Regular season record: N/A
Playoff record: N/A
Quinn, relatively unfamiliar, has never been a head coach in the NBA. He has served as an assistant to Erik Spoelstra at the Miami Heat since 2014. Rising from a player development coach, Quinn has continuously improved himself and is now Spoelstra’s right-hand man.
Quinn is renowned for his player development skills and has led the Heat in games where Spoelstra was absent, most recently a 144-115 victory over the Hornets in April.
Quinn was a candidate for the head coaching position with the Brooklyn Nets, but ultimately, the team chose Jordi Fernandez. The Charlotte Hornets held two interviews with Quinn, where he reportedly made a “significant impression” on the club.
- Becky Hammon
Regular season record: N/A
Playoff record: N/A
Similar to Quinn, Hammon has never been a head coach in the NBA. However, she has established herself through successive successes with the Las Vegas Aces, notably winning the WNBA Championship in 2022 and 2023. In the NBA, Hammon worked under Gregg Popovich at the San Antonio Spurs for eight seasons.
Hammon came close to the head coaching position with the Portland Trail Blazers, but the team ultimately chose Chauncey Billups.
- Kenny Atkinson
Regular season record: 118-190 (38.3%)
Playoff record: 1-4 (20%)
Atkinson reshaped the Nets, transforming them from a tanking team to a playoff contender. He is known for his player development skills and analytical approach.
Atkinson was close to becoming the head coach of the Hornets in 2023 but decided to continue as an assistant to Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors.
- JJ Redick
Regular season record: N/A
Playoff record: N/A
Redick has had the fortune of working with many top NBA coaches throughout his 15-year career. He is known as an intelligent player with deep basketball knowledge, demonstrated not only on the court but also through his insights shared with LeBron James on the “Mind the Game” podcast.
Redick, still playing professionally with the Dallas Mavericks at age 39, has expressed interest in coaching. He has been interviewed for various positions, including coaching roles with the Hornets.
- Terry Stotts
Regular season record: 517-486 (51.5%)
Playoff record: 23-44 (34.3%)
Stotts is an experienced coach, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to the playoffs for eight consecutive years. He guided the team to the Western Conference Finals once, falling to the Golden State Warriors. Stotts is a solid choice for teams seeking an experienced leader.
- Sam Cassell
Regular season record: N/A
Playoff record: N/A
Cassell has a 15-year coaching assistant career, spanning several teams such as the Wizards, Clippers, Sixers, and Celtics. In 2023, Cassell was honored as one of the best assistant coaches in the league by GMs of the 30 teams. He received 7% of the votes.
Cassell has attracted interest from multiple NBA teams and interviewed with the Houston Rockets in 2023. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the Celtics.
- Dave Joerger
Regular season record: 245-247 (49.8%)
Playoff record: 9-13 (40.9%)
Joerger previously coached the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings from 2013 to 2019. He then transitioned to become an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers and now the Bucks.
Known as a skilled coach with a strong personality, Joerger has clashed with front offices over disagreements.
- James Borrego
Regular season record: 148-183 (44.7%)
Playoff record: 0-0
Borrego made a strong impression by leading the Hornets to 43 wins in a previous season. However, he departed the team after the 2022/23 season, and under Steve Clifford, the Hornets struggled to maintain their performance. This season, they only managed 27 wins.
Borrego, a championship-winning coach with the Spurs under Popovich, also contributed to the Pelicans’ success as their assistant coach this season.
- Mike D’Antoni
Regular season record: 672-527 (56%)
Playoff record: 54-56 (49.1%)
D’Antoni’s offensive philosophy has had a widespread impact on the NBA. He has brought significant changes to multiple teams and achieved success in various roles.
D’Antoni unexpectedly stepped back to become an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets in 2021. He currently serves as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans.
- Mark Jackson
Regular season record: 121-109 (52.6%)
Playoff record: 9-10 (47.4%)
Jackson previously coached the Warriors from 2011 to 2014 but has not secured another NBA coaching position since then. He laid the foundation for the Warriors before they reached their peak under Steve Kerr.
