Which of the NBA's head coaching vacancies is most appealing?

By Jordan Ketler May 20, 2023 36 mins read 162 Views

With a little more than a month before the 2023 NBA Draft, one-sixth of the NBA's 30 head coaching jobs are available. For five franchises, an opportunity exists to right the recent wrongs that resulted in those dismissals.
We ranked the five openings from least to most attractive based on the roster strength, the team's market, and the timeline of pressure to compete for a championship.
5. Detroit Pistons Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyPros

Bona fide young core headlined by Cade Cunningham, complemented by Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.
No. 5 pick in the upcoming draft.
Approximately $25 million-$30 million in cap space to play around with in free agency.
Cons

Barren roster that needs injection of talent immediately. Detroit finished with the NBA's worst record last season.
Not a glamour destination for free agents.
Pressure to turn around fortunes somewhat soon - four seasons since the Pistons' last playoff appearance.
There's nowhere to go but up for the Pistons. With the additions of Ivey and Duren in the draft and veterans Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic via trade over the summer, the franchise was marked as a potential dark-horse play-in tournament team heading into the 2022-23 season. Any hopes of a competitive campaign were lost in December when rising guard Cunningham suffered a season-ending shin injury. Detroit's gift for a league-worst 17-65 record? The fifth pick in June's draft and missing out on the consensus trio of Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and Brandon Miller. Whomever the Pistons take will still be an immediate upgrade from a talent perspective - ideally, a versatile wing who could complement the team's abundance at guard and center.
Beyond the existing team and high draft pick, Detroit has enough cap space to add a few quality players to round out the rotation this offseason. The club could also opt to maintain flexibility to chase stars in the near future, as it's expected to have $60.8 million in payroll spending for the 2024-25 season. On the flip side, Detroit might need to pay up to add even average players to incentivize free agents to join a team that averaged 20 wins over the last four seasons.
With the building blocks of the next quality Pistons team set, the club's new coach would ideally be a first-time bench boss who can evolve with the squad - the antithesis of veteran Dwane Casey. Recent similar success stories include Taylor Jenkins with the Memphis Grizzlies and Willie Green with the New Orleans Pelicans.
4. Toronto Raptors Richard Lautens / Toronto Star / GettyPros

Core of Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes presents several unique building paths and play styles.
Team president Masai Ujiri remains one of NBA's most respected executives.
Franchise traditionally values development and multi-year approach.
Cons

Ownership seems to want to win again sooner rather than later.
Futures of pending free agents are very much in the air.
Roster may need significant overhaul to make playoff impact.
Toronto's play-in meltdown against the Chicago Bulls was the final, painful nail in a season filled with plenty of down moments. The Raptors' inability to crack the first round convinced Ujiri to part with championship head coach Nick Nurse and was a reminder that the roster may not be sufficient in a top-heavy Eastern Conference.
Ujiri said during his end-of-season presser that the league's parity convinced him to trade a first-rounder at the deadline for Jakob Poeltl instead of shipping off expiring contracts and veterans in a rebuild. While he was a notable upgrade for a team without a proven center all year, Poeltl alone couldn't transform the Raptors into what Ujiri hoped. Some of that fell on Nurse, but some may be outside a head coach's control.
Poeltl, Fred VanVleet, and Gary Trent Jr. are all set to hit free agency. Toronto's front office needs to decide if its current path will truly bring postseason success or if a proper overhaul around former Rookie of the Year Barnes - which would almost certainly require trading two-time All-NBAer Siakam - is needed. If they try to awkwardly maneuver in the middle, it could be a daunting task for any incoming coach and see candidates pass on Toronto's limited ceiling.
3. Philadelphia 76ers David Dow / National Basketball Association / GettyPros

Reigning MVP Joel Embiid.
Daryl Morey, an ambitious president of basketball operations.
A balanced roster surrounding Embiid that should qualify for the playoffs, with or without star guard James Harden.
Cons

Harden's impending free agency, with his decision dictating the team's next steps.
Immediate pressure to advance past the second round. The Sixers haven't made the conference finals since 2001.
Outside of Tyrese Maxey, no quality blue-chip prospect who can help the roster reach the next stages of contention.
After the latest elimination from postseason contention, it's never been more clear that the Sixers need a playoff-ready coach to boost the roster. Despite amassing a 154-82 regular-season record under Doc Rivers, Philly relieved the veteran coach of his duties following the franchise's third consecutive postseason failure to get out of the Eastern Conference semifinal. Even with Harden and Embiid unable to score over 20 points each in the do-or-die Game 7 against the Celtics, a coach with a more imaginative offensive approach and increased awareness during crunch time might have secured a conference finals appearance this campaign.
There are now real consequences for the franchise and, by extension, the next bench boss. Harden reportedly plans to test free agency. If he departs for another team, the Sixers will have few avenues to replace his production and maintain contender status without gutting the roster and using major draft capital to acquire a player of his caliber to pair with Embiid. The lead guard's decision to return will weigh over the heads of the franchise for the short term. But the next coach can achieve legendary status long term if they can guide the 76ers to the Finals, a feat not seen in Philadelphia since 2001.
2. Milwaukee Bucks Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / GettyPros

Perennial MVP candidate in Giannis Antetokounmpo securely under contract.
Arguably easier path to contention in East.
Veterans familiar with what it takes to win from 2021 title.
Cons

One of the oldest rosters in the league by average age.
Immediate high-pressure expectations.
Key contract decisions needed, including with Khris Middleton this summer.
Milwaukee is a tantalizing win-now opportunity but with slightly more pressing questions to answer right now. For one, the Bucks need to quickly decide on their plans for Middleton. He has a $40-million player option for the 2023-24 season. But at 32 years old, Middleton may elect to decline it to secure more guaranteed money in free agency, arguably his last chance at a lucrative long-term contract.
If Middleton isn't in their plans, they risk losing Antetokounmpo's long-time running mate for little to nothing thanks to their restrictive salary-cap outlook. Defensive specialist Brook Lopez is another conundrum to solve this summer as a pending free agent. However, the Bucks are likely better suited to retain him since the journeyman big is already 35 and Milwaukee owns his Bird rights.
Of course, all that might be inconsequential to bench boss suitors because of the opportunity to coach a perennial MVP candidate in Antetokounmpo, who's still only 28 and under contract through at least 2024-25. Whatever the rest of Milwaukee's roster looks like when the dust settles, having Antetokounmpo likely continues the Bucks as a contender and keeps them as an attractive destination for potential players and coaches. Even with Jrue Holiday's contract entering its final season next year, you nonetheless expect Milwaukee to garner plenty of interest.
1. Phoenix Suns Garrett Ellwood / National Basketball Association / GettyPros

Expected contenders with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, who are safely under contract.
New owner Mat Ishbia has proven he will go all-out for title.
Having Durant, Booker provides an edge when chasing veterans on discounts to round out roster.
Cons

Contending status comes with immediate pressure.
Chris Paul's age and injury history could lead to change at point.
Need to address depth lost in Durant deal.
There isn't a better takeover opportunity in the NBA right now than in the desert. Back-to-back second-round exits ultimately cost Monty Williams, but Phoenix is more than well-equipped to help its future head coach navigate lofty expectations. Booker took another step this year by leading all scorers in the playoffs. And with Durant set to be in the Suns' ranks for a full season, the club arguably has the league's best offensive one-two punch.
But while Phoenix is a fantastic opportunity for any tactician hoping to contend, it's not without its flaws. The Suns' most pressing concern is probably Paul, specifically, how much longer the 38-year-old can continue to man the point full time. He's played 65 and 59 games in his last two regular seasons, and a groin strain forced him to miss the team's final four playoff contests, limiting him to a spectator as the Suns fell in six games to the Denver Nuggets. Phoenix reportedly intends to bring him back, but contingency plans are apparently on the table, too.
There also seems to be persistent chatter about what to do with Deandre Ayton, who didn't always see eye-to-eye with Williams. A new coach could invigorate the former first overall pick, but a potential trade return could also help Phoenix replenish the depth lost in the Durant deal.
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By: Jonathan Soveta, Donald Higney
Title: Which of the NBA's head coaching vacancies is most appealing?
Sourced From: www.thescore.com/nba/news/2650335
Published Date: 05-20-2023

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the Raptors win 2019's NBA title?

DeMar DeRozan was traded to Toronto Raptors by Jakob Poltl (protected 2019 first-round draft pick) and a Toronto Raptors player in return for Kawhi Leonard.

On February 7, 2019, the Raptors traded Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright C. J. Miles, as well as a 2024 2nd-round draft pick to Memphis Grizzlies, were traded by the Raptors for Marc Gasol--another All-Star and former Defender Player of Year--and signed Jeremy Lin shortly following.

The Toronto Raptors had a very eventful offseason, making two big trades that sent shockwaves through the NBA. DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poltl, as well as a 2019 draft pick (that was secured) were the first trades made by the Raptors. In exchange they received Kawhi and Danny Green from Spurs. Then, they traded Jonas Valanciunas, Delon Wright C. J. Miles, and a 2024 second-round draft pick to the Memphis Grizzlies for Marc Gasol--another multiple All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year. These moves place the Raptors at the forefront of the race for a NBA title. Let's look at each trade.

The trade for Kawhi Leonard was a risk-reward move for the Raptors. Leonard is a top-5 league player when healthy and coming off a MVP-caliber season. But, injury limited Leonard to just 9 games last season, and there are doubts about his long term health. But the Raptors decided that it was worth the risk, and they signed the deal. Leonard has been playing at an All Star level and is currently in good health. He's averaging 26 points per game, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and shoots 49% from the floor and 38% from three point range. If he can stay healthy, he gives the Raptors a real chance to win an NBA title this season.

Marc Gasol's trade for Gasol was more of an immediate move than anything else. Gasol is now in his 30s and clearly has reached his peak. Yet, he is still a solid player who can bring valuable experience to a young Raptors roster. He is averaging 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field and 34% from three-point range. C.J. Wright and Delon Wright were young assets the Raptors traded. Miles was acquired by Gasol. However, the Raptors believe his expertise will prove to be valuable during playoffs.

The Raptors got off to a 6-0 start, winning their 16th game on November 23rd (breaking their franchise record for the best start through 20 games with a 16-4 record); reaching 20 wins quicker than any time in their history when they won 24th game of the season on December 1st against Cleveland Cavaliers; breaking the franchise record for most points scored in franchise history after beating Washington Wizards 140-138 points after double overtime on January 13th. To prevent Leonard's injury from getting worse, the Raptors rested him for 20 more games. However, they managed to capture 2nd place in East, only trailing behind Milwaukee Bucks.

The Raptors were able to continue their winning streak in the playoffs by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers (Orlando Magic), Milwaukee Bucks (Milwaukee Bucks) to reach the NBA Finals. Leonard was named Finals MVP and the Raptors won their first title against the Golden State Warriors in game 6.

The Toronto Raptors enjoyed a successful offseason. This has been a huge success. The Raptors have two All-Stars and are ready to compete for the title in years to come. They have shown they are capable and willing to make bold moves as well as take risks when it comes to assembling a championship-level team. It will be fascinating to see if they can maintain this level of success in the future.

Why are Toronto Raptors called Raptors

The NBA's expansion in Canada led to the 1995 founding of Toronto Raptors. The film Jurassic Park inspired the name and logo. The team colours are bright red, purple, black, and silver.

The Raptors finished their first season with a 21-61 record. This was due to the team's inability to find their feet in the league. The team improved each year and they made their first playoff appearance in 1999.

The Raptors' most memorable moment in 2019 was when they won their first NBA championship title. Led by the backcourt duo of Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard, Toronto won their first championship in a thrilling six-game series against the Golden State Warriors.

Since then, the Raptors are a favourite sports team in Canada. Toronto continues to provide excitement to basketball fans worldwide, whether they are international superstars or homegrown talent.

Canada's basketball heritage is proudly represented by the Toronto Raptors. Young athletes are inspired by their success on the court. It is clear that the Raptors will be a favorite team for many years due to their loyal fans, innovative play style, and dedication to excellence.

What's the name of Toronto Raptors mascot?"

The Toronto Raptors, a NBA franchise, was established in 1995. They play their games at Scotiabank Arena.

Raptor is the Raptors' giant red dinosaur mascot. Raptor first appeared in 1995. He also participates in community and charity events all over Toronto. He was awarded the NBA Mascot of the year award in 2019 for his many years of dedication to the Raptors. Raptor, a beloved figure around Toronto and in the NBA, is one of the most prominent mascots within professional sports. He is also an internationally recognized symbol of Canada’s basketball fandom.

Many in the country and throughout the city share Raptor’s enthusiasm for his team as well as its fans. With Raptor leading the way, the Raptors have become one of the most successful teams in the NBA, winning their first championship in 2019. This was a historic moment for Canadian basketball fans. Raptor is a source of pride for all Raptors family members. Raptors pride is guaranteed to continue as long as the Raptors are around. Long live the Raptor. Go, Toronto Raptors!

Vancouver was there a NBA team?

No, Vancouver does not have an NBA team. The Vancouver Grizzlies played in Vancouver from 1995-2001. The team relocated to Memphis Tennessee in 2001. Vancouver is home to the Toronto Raptors, the local NBA team. There are also other professional basketball teams that play in and around Vancouver, including the BC Tigers of Canada's Elite Basketball League and Vancouver Volcanoes International Basketball League. Many amateur and semiprofessional teams play in different local leagues.

Vancouver basketball fans have many other options than just playing the game. Vancouver Grizzlies Alumni Association aims for former players to get together and promote basketball in British Columbia. They host clinics for young players and offer viewing parties for Raptors games.

Although the Grizzlies have left Vancouver, the city's love and passion for basketball is not diminishing. The community continues to support the sport in numerous ways. Vancouverites continue their love for basketball by supporting former players, attending Raptors games and supporting other initiatives that help spread awareness about the game within the city.

Statistics

By 2018, estimated the Raptors were worth $1.4 billion, 12th in the NBA. (en.wikipedia.org)
This improved during the 2006–07 regular season to an average of 18,258 fans (13th in the league), 92.2 percent capacity at the Air Canada Centre. (en.wikipedia.org)
Thomas named Raptors' GM NBA superstar to have 10% stake in the new franchise". (en.wikipedia.org)
This improved during the 2006–07 regular season to an average of 18,258 fans (13th in the league), 92.2 percent capacity at the Air Canada Centre. (en.wikipedia.org)
In November of the 1996–97 season, Bitove sold his ownership interest in the team to Slaight for $65 million after Slaight had activated a shotgun clause in their partnership agreement,[32][33] giving Slaight 79 percent control of the team, [34] (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

Tips on Where to Eat Before the Toronto Raptors Game at Scotiabank Arena

Avoiding overeating is the best way to eat before a match. You will find plenty of food in the arena, so if hunger strikes after arriving, you can get some.

There are also concession stands and food stands along the concourse. Some places specialize in beer, while others serve hot dogs, pizza, burgers, and more.

The concession stand serving nachos is one of the most sought-after options. These cheesy snacks contain toppings such as jalapenos, cheese sauce, sour cream, and bacon bits.

Another option is to buy tickets to a pre-game party. These parties can be hosted at many restaurants so guests can enjoy food or drinks before heading to the arena.

You can enjoy the best of local cuisine at a barbecue joint located near the arena. The menu offers pulled pork sandwiches, chicken wings, and ribs.

Several fast food chains are nearby, including Tim Hortons, Subway, and McDonald's.

There are many healthy options for those who don't like greasy food. Freshii is a notable restaurant. This chain sells fresh salads as well as wraps made with organic products.

Other options include sushi bars and juice shops.

There are many coffee shops, as well as ice cream parlours, just across from the building if that's what you want.

No matter what food you like, there are plenty places to eat before or after the Toronto Raptors games. Don't forget to give yourself enough time so you can get through security quickly and find your seat.

Have fun cheering on your home team. And thank you for reading! Go Raptors Enjoy the game