Ranking Every Head Coach in the NBA

COLLAB! Season's starting soon so here is a ranking of every head coach in the NBA

30. J.J. Redick - Los Angeles Lakers

The new Los Angeles Lakers coach, J.J. Redick, has absolutely no experience. Sure, he may have been one of the best role players in the league at his peak and a great three-point shooter, but he’s never coached before let alone coached stars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis. This job will be challenging for the former Clippers guard, but I think he won’t be as bad as everyone thinks. He may not have the best coaching knowledge, but he knows how to communicate with players, having been one himself. And don’t worry about coaching the stars… LeBron James shared a podcast with him, and Davis seems to like his coaching style.

29. Jordi Fernandez - Brooklyn Nets

Not the most exciting team, Brooklyn is in rebuild mode. Their new coach, Jordi Fernandez is set to hopefully make this team look somewhat good. Fernandez’s record with the Nets next season will likely look terrible on paper however Brooklyn is trying to tank to get a top pick. This 2025 draft class looks generational with prospects including Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, Dylan Harper, and Nolan Traore. I think the Nets are smart with tanking this season because one of these players can certainly help them out.

Back to Fernandez, his experience is something unlike many coaches. Though he is one of the youngest coaches in the NBA at the age of 41, Fernandez has already been coaching the game for decades. He knows what coaching is about and I am excited to watch him coach this team. He’s coached under the likes of Mike Brown and Michael Malone and clearly has much knowledge of the game.

28. Brian Keefe - Washington Wizards

Another new coach in the NBA, Keefe served as the interim head coach after the Wizards and Wes Unseld Jr. parted ways. The 48 year old is now taking over a team with low expectations, as they finished last season with the second-worst record in the NBA, just ahead of their Eastern Conference rivals, the Detroit Pistons.

Washington clearly isn’t a good team, and I don’t believe they’ll be significantly better this season either. If Kuzma stays healthy and Poole plays at his Golden State form, the team might win 30 games. However, I doubt that will happen. I think they should focus on tanking since they know they can’t compete with the league’s top teams. This upcoming draft will be stacked with great prospects, and Washington could pair one of those young talents with their recent 2nd overall pick, rookie Alex Sarr.

As for Keefe, he’s not a perfect coach. Although he doesn’t have a strong roster, he also lacks experience and needs to continue developing his coaching skills. With D.C. in full rebuild mode, Keefe is unfortunately tasked with leading one of the worst teams in the NBA.

27. Darko Rajakovic - Tornonto Raptors

The Raptors are just one of those teams that are decent. They aren’t good or bad, right in the middle. With Darko Rajakovic as their coach again this season, their record will likely improve. Last season, Toronto finished as the 12th seed and missed the playoffs. In the second season as a Raptor for both R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, the former Knicks are now much more used to the system and will play even bigger roles. Many key players from last season including Barrett and Quickley are also still on the team. Players like Bruce Brown, franchise player Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl will produce at a high level again.

When we are talking about Rajakovic, you can’t miss the fact that he’s been a coach for a long time. Coaching youth since the age 16 in Serbia, Darko has a lot of knowledge for the game. He’s been coaching in the NBA since 2014 as the assistant for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and has gotten more and more experience in the league since. Last being an assistant for the Grizzlies, Rajakovic got the job to be the coach for Toronto in 2023.

It’ll be a middling season for the Raptors as their record will be good and then bad. I think the highest they can go is the Play-In and don’t expect them to make the playoffs.

Chauncey Billups - Portland Trail Blazers

A struggling Portland Blazers team, Billups’ time in Portland will be ended next season. There is not much talent on this roster currently and though Portland does have some bright spots in a healthy Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, rookie Donovan Clingan, and a second year Scoot Henderson, the Blazers will be near the bottom in the West again.

About second year Scoot Henderson, we don’t know necessarily if he will have a big jump. Sure he may have looked like a bust in his first few months of his career, but people forget how much better he was after the trade deadline. He finished the year with 14 points per game and looked closer to what we wanted him to look like all season. I think his efficiency will improve however expect Henderson to average around 15-16 points.

Let’s talk about Clingan, the rookie is the number 2-3 center behind Ayton and possibly Duop Reath/Jabari Walker. He won’t get much playing time. Though the former UConn legend won back to back national championships and was one of the most well known college basketball players over the past couple of years, I basically forgot he existed because of his new role. He won’t have the biggest impact on the team, that’s for sure.

Moving on to Billups, he’s going to get fired soon, I just don’t know when. He’s not a bad coach and is a nice guy, but this team he leads is one of the worst currently and his record won’t look good this year.

25. Charles Lee - Charlotte Hornets

Charles Lee’s hiring feels like a breath of fresh air for the Hornets. After years of bad seasons, this organization will be ready to compete in a couple of years. With Lee’s arrival, Hornets fans should be hopeful for a good few seasons with him leading the way.

There’s LaMelo Ball, finally healthy. His return changes everything. Ball is the engine, and under Lee’s guidance, they might finally tap into the potential that’s been lurking for years. This feels like the start of something that could actually stick as Steve Clifford wasn’t the best coach for this Charlotte team.

Talking about their roster, the Hornets have a bright future. There’s Ball, supported by a fresh group of talent. Key additions like Brandon Miller and Nick Smith Jr. are ready to step up, while the team has more depth and versatility. Seth Curry is a good three point shooter similar to his future HOF brother, and Mark Williams has a lot of potential. With Charles Lee, there's a sense of renewed energy and a fresh start. Lee has the experience as he just won a title as an assistant with the Boston Celtics and he can possibly lead Charlotte far one day.

24. Doc Rivers - Milwaukee Bucks

Doc Rivers is back as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, and he’s ready to shake things up. After a tough run in Philadelphia two seasons ago and a disappointing season last year with Milwaukee, Rivers is set for a bounce back year. Rivers knows the Bucks need a clear identity and isn’t afraid to make necessary changes. This isn’t just another gig for him; it’s a chance to elevate a contender and prove he can still win at the highest level. With stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, this is his best chance at another title in 2025.

The Bucks’ roster includes a lot of talent and potential. Giannis is the cornerstone, providing unmatched versatility and athleticism. Alongside him, Damian Lillard brings elite scoring and playmaking skills. The supporting cast, including and older Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, adds depth and experience, while younger players including Tyler Smith, AJ Johnson, and Gary Trent Jr., are eager to step into larger roles. Building chemistry, and creating a unit that is ready to compete for a championship is the goal for this team and I am excited to watch them this season.

As for Rivers, with over two decades of coaching experience, he’s no stranger to high-pressure situations. He led the Celtics to a championship in 2008 and has coached superstar talent across the league with teams like the Clippers and 76ers.

This second year in Milwaukee is about more than just talent—it’s about establishing a winning culture and leaving a mark on a team hungry for redemption and success.

23. Willie Green - New Orleans Pelicans

Willie Green has helped this team a lot. From the Pelicans being one of the worst teams back in the 2019-20 season when they were led by Alvin Gentry to being a playoff team in only five years, you have to respect what Green has done since taking over as the head coach. Not only has he developed young gems like Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III, but Green is a very respected coach.

New Orleans has their big four of the main star of the show (Zion Williamson,) the older vet who’s going to be traded soon (Brandon Ingram,) the washed but still productive guard (C.J. McCullum,) and their new acquisition who will likely be the second best player on this team when the season ends (Dejounte Murray.)

More about this big four, it should really be a big six as Herb Jones and Trey Murphy are very key role players. The reason I left them out is because they don’t need the ball as much. Zion is obviously the Pelicans’ future, Ingram is going to be somewhere else soon so he wants to perform, McCullum just isn’t the same but he needs to ball a lot to score, and Murray’s situation with Atlanta and Trae Young didn’t work as they both needed the basketball at all times.

I am a bit concerned about this team as they all needs the basketball, but I think it’ll work. Willie Green will figure something out and I expect New Orleans to be a playoff team this season again.

22. Kenny Atkinson - Cleveland Cavaliers

Atkinson is an interesting coach.

During his time as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, he was decent—nothing special. Later, when he became the Warriors' assistant and performed well, everyone thought he was on track to become a great head coach. Initially, when he was considering becoming the Hornets’ next head coach, there was excitement, and many thought it would be a good fit. However, after declining the offer and choosing to remain as Golden State’s assistant, things changed. The Warriors had a disappointing season last year, missing the playoffs and losing to the Sacramento Kings in Klay Thompson’s final game as a Warrior. Atkinson knew he needed to leave California and pursue a head coaching position elsewhere.

Fast forward to when the former Nets head coach was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was a smart move, and I believe Kenny will be a solid coach for them. However, don't be surprised if the Cavs finish below third or fourth place in the Eastern Conference and struggle in the playoffs. I expect his first year as head coach won't meet all expectations, but he will start to find his rhythm later. He hasn't been a head coach for several years, and it will take some time for him to adjust to coaching players who aren’t at Stephen Curry’s level. While Donovan Mitchell, Garland, and Mobley are talented, Curry can take any shot from anywhere on the court, and it wouldn’t be considered a bad shot.

Atkinson’s first year in Cleveland might not be stellar, but expect the Cavs to remain a playoff team and among the top contenders.

21. Billy Donovan - Chicago Bulls

After a terrible offseason, the Chicago Bulls are stuck in a bad position. They don’t have a true superstar or star, and they are now one of the worst teams in basketball. After trading DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings for nothing, and trading Alex Caruso for nothing as well, Chicago needs a rebuild. I mean, how do you not even get a first-round pick for Caruso? It’s the Thunder! They have all the picks in the world and can afford giving up one. What makes this even worse is that the Bulls also tried dealing Zach LaVine. We all thought a trade would happen; however, Chicago realistically needed a first-round pick included in a deal because of the former UCLA guard’s contract. So, not getting a first for Caruso and selling DeRozan for cheap really messed up the offseason and the Bulls' future.

But that was just the offseason, and these paragraphs are supposed to focus on head coach Billy Donovan.

Donovan, because of his team’s offseason, will likely be viewed as a bad coach this year. However, it’s not really his fault; it’s the front office, as they traded the star of the show and their best defensive player. Expect Chi-Town to be a bottom team with lackluster play throughout the season. This team needs a rebuild ASAP, and I think after the season or at the deadline, they will deal LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.

This Chicago team needs a change, and firing Donovan after the season to bring in a new coach might be a good decision. A younger coach would be better for the franchise, and the former Thunder coach’s days with the Bulls seem limited.

20. Mike Budenholzer - Phoenix Suns

Well, what a past half-decade it’s been for Mr. Budenholzer. Once thought to be on the hot seat for the Bucks after some lackluster performances and poor roster management, him and Milwaukee (namely, Giannis and Jrue) won the title in 2021. A new dynasty looked in the cards — then, of course it wasn’t.

3 years later and one Bucks firing, Budenholzer now finds himself as the latest coach to attempt to fix the Suns, who are giving him the best offensive firing squad he’s ever coached as a result. 

Budenholzer would be higher on this list if it weren’t for his seemingly rotations in Milwaukee, his extremely slow (and anti-modern) pace of play — as seen in Milwaukee’s 31st percentile pace in 2023 — and a seemingly destructive playoff record. If he can help the Suns fulfill their potential and fix the offense, then he’ll likely end up in the top 12 on this list. As of now, though, he has a lot to prove…again.

19. J.B. Bickerstaff - Detroit Pistons

Bickerstaff, as we know him, is an above-average defensive coach. While his rotations can sometimes feel iffy at best, he’s shown that he can turn a team into an effective brick wall. Yet, his career thus far has been defined by shortcomings.

Despite having one of the league’s best offensive talents in Donovan Mitchell and a great running mate in Darius Garland, Bickerstaff’s squad could only muster a 16th-best offensive rating. He seemed to enforce a my-turn-your-turn offense, resulting in over-dribbling and needless shot-clock draining. Yet, we’ve seen flashes of a good coach, and prior to Mitchell’s arrival, he seemed to do more with less than a lot of good teams in the league.

Now with Detroit, he’s being placed into a situation where he’s set up for failure. If he can buck his poor offense trend and utilize guys like Jalen Duren how he used Jarrett Allen in Cleveland, then he’d do something that no Pistons coach has done in a long time.

18. Quin Snyder - Atlanta Hawks

Snyder’s ranking here is largely due to the phenomenal work he did in Utah. As of right now, his work with the Hawks hasn’t been nearly as nice. While he coached the dysfunctional dual-All-Star guard squad to a 12th-best offensive rating, the defense was near the bottom of the league. Yet, there’s reason to believe that he’s about to find his form again, even if the Hawks purposely tank.

After the team traded away Dejounte Murray, he’ll likely institute a similar offense to the one he utilized in Utah; namely, that involves one heliocentric guard, though one not as consistent as Donovan Mitchell was. 

Snyder has proven himself to be a magical pick and roll guy, which means that Trae Young will likely be getting more P&R looks than ever, and with Jalen Johnson’s emergence as a three-level scorer, Quinn may look to go to the extreme spacing that he did in Utah. Even if a tanking season is in the cards, don’t be surprised if the team turns out a pretty good offensive rating in the end.

17. Jamahl Mosley - Orlando Magic

By the end of this season, Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley may jump into the top 10 if he plays his cards right.

Mosley has improved each year in his coaching since taking over the franchise in 2021, especially as a defensive schemer. In 2022-23, the Magic had an 18th-best defensive rating, yet leaped to 3rd in 2023-24, with Mosley being able to utilize Jalen Suggs on the perimeter and Jonathan Isaac as an interior menace.

The next step for Mosley will be what he can do with good three-point shooters. To this point, the Magic have had horrible spacing due to nobody knowing how to shoot from three except for Paolo Banchero (sometimes) and Jalen Suggs. Now, with the arrival of Kentavious-Caldwell Pope and catching-and-shooting rookie Tristan Da Silva, Mosley will get a chance to eliminate the team’s only weakness. If he does, expect a massive leap in these rankings.

16. Mike Brown - Sacramento Kings

Regardless of how good he is as a coach, we know this: Everyone loves Mike Brown.

Mike Brown screams after hearing one of his players (youtube.com) (embed this)

After signing a multi-year extension with the Kings this offseason, Brown has to follow up that enthusiasm with a payoff in the playoffs. In theory, he’s the prototypical NBA head coach in today’s era. The Kings ranked 3rd in three-point attempts last season, took the 6th-least mid-range shots, and ranked 3rd in paint attempts outside the restricted area. In other words, spacing the floor is Brown’s motif. 

Yet, after a great season of offense in 2022-23, the team somewhat stagnated under Brown on that end of the floor, posting an average offensive rating and middle-of-the-pack (though improved) defensive rating. Without tons of playoff experience as a HC, we can’t exactly rank him too high on this list. The biggest and most intriguing aspect of Brown’s upcoming season with the Kings is the fact that DeMar DeRozan – the man who loves his mid-range shots – is in town now. If Brown can adjust and properly utilize that deadly mid-range game from DeRozan, then I’d feel confident he’d slide up this list a few spots.

15. Jason Kidd - Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd is a bit of a controversial figure as a coach. On one hand, he took the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals and coached the Mavs to a top-5 defense in the playoffs after a not-so-great defensive regular season. On the other, he has a lot to work with in Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and rim protectors like Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively. And yet, in his time with Doncic, which has stretched back to 2021, the team has missed the playoffs once in terrible fashion, somewhat staining his resume that was already disturbed due to his troubles keeping the locker room together in Milwaukee back in 2018.

Even with the controversies surrounding his timeout management and lineup choices, you can’t argue with the fact that Kidd became the first coach in NBA history to lead two franchises to the playoffs in his first two years as a head coach, nor can you debate his ability to bring the best out of Luka Doncic as a player. The Mavs ranked 3rd in pick and roll efficiency last season, had the 4th most screen assists in the league, and somehow created a playoff-breaking offense that ranked dead last in passes per game but 5th in net rating. 

There’s work to be done here, but this feels like a good spot for Kidd based on the general concerns surrounding his methods – at least until (if) the Mavericks win it all. 

14. Taylor Jenkins - Memphis Grizzlies

In the past 5 years, Taylor Jenkins has done a pretty darn good job with the Grizzlies. Not only has the team come away on top of their division twice during his tenure, but he’s effectively coached what could be seen as an undermanned team – due to Ja Morant’s absences and various injuries – to success every year. On the statistical side, Jenkins coached the injury-laden squad to a 12th-best defensive rating last season and instilled a true hustle mentality.

Case in point, the team ranked first in deflections last season and was widely seen as the grittiest in the league. From a player development standpoint, he’s turned 2nd-rounder Vince Williams Jr. into a good role player and the other 2nd-rounder GG Jackson into possibly something more. As a player development and locker room coach, Jenkins is phenomenal. 

Jenkins has a much longer resume than most assume, as he coached the G League’s (then D-League) Austin Toros (now Austin Spurs) to a league championship as an assistant all the way back in 2012; Jenkins also spent 5 years with the Hawks from 2013 to 2018 and was seen as a great HC candidate. Now, with a fully healthy Grizzlies squad, he’ll have to become a better offensive play-caller to rise up these rankings – oh, and a Mavs-like playoff run would do the job, too. 

13. Ime Udoka - Houston Rockets

If there’s one strength that Ime Udoka has above all else, it’s these two words: buy-in. Wait, that might be one word because of the hyphen, but I digress.

During his first season of coaching the Houston Rockets, he effectively flipped the entire team’s philosophy on its head. In previous years, the team looked to institute an offense made up of leftovers from the D’Antoni days; that is, shooting a lot of threes and layups and not knowing how to defend a fly. In 2022-23, the team had the 2nd-worst defensive rating in the entire league and the slightly better yet still horrific 4th-worst offensive rating. In 2023-24, the team turned in a top-10 defense and a top-20 offense – call it the Udoka effect.

Udoka has become a defensive rotation menace, essentially turning every player on the floor into a solid pest on D. Even Jalen Green, who had been plagued by terrible perimeter defense since being drafted, turned in an above-average defensive season according to Dunks and Threes’ EPM metric. 

If Udoka wants to solidify himself as a top-5 coach in the league, he’ll have to prove that he can create a top-15 offense around Alperen Sengun, who is one of the best young offensive hubs in the league despite being a big. If the Rockets turn in a top-5 pick and roll offense by way of Sengun and either Fred VanVleet or Amen Thompson, then they will be cooking up a potential playoff berth. Add in rookie Reed Sheppard’s three-point shooting, and anything except that playoff berth will feel like a condemnation of Udoka’s ability to create quality offensive sets.

12. Chris Finch - Minnesota Timberwolves

Chris Finch is quietly becoming one of the NBA’s most adaptable head coaches, and it’s a narrative that keeps building. Finch heads into the 2024 season facing one of his biggest challenges yet: adjusting to life without Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns was a good stretch-five for the team and was their future at a point. His talent really helped this team as he helped lead them to the Western conference finals last season.

Finch finds himself piecing together a new identity, where grit and balance take center stage. From helping develop great role players like Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels, Finch knows what it takes to coach this team to a title. Now, the question is, how far can he push this new Timberwolves squad?

This new-look 2024 Timberwolves roster, following the Towns trade, is about grit and grind, but not in the Memphis sense. The addition of Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle reshapes everything. DiVincenzo is a great three point shooter, while Randle gives you some serious versatility and good attacking skills. It’s Anthony Edwards’ show now, and we’re watching a superstar and possible future face of the league come into full bloom. Gobert still anchors the defense, cleaning the glass and protecting the rim. You’re looking at a squad that’s going to win games by being aggressive.

Don’t sleep on Minnesota, they’ve got the tools to make some noise in a talented, exciting Western Conference.

11. Will Hardy - Utah Jazz

    The Utah Jazz's 2024 roster has a great mix of young talent and experienced players, positioning them for an exciting season under head coach Will Hardy.

    The star of the group is with out a doubt, Lauri Markkanen, who emerged as a standout player over the pst two years with Utah and will be crucial for the team's offensive strategies. His ability to stretch the floor with shooting and contribute in various ways makes him a focal point for Hardy’s system.

    Joining Markkanen is rising star Walker Kessler, whose defensive skills and rebounding ability provide a solid foundation in the paint. Kessler's development is essential for the Jazz as they seek to improve their interior defense and rim protection. The backcourt features a blend of experienced guards. Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson bring scoring ability and playmaking, adding depth to the team.

    Overall, the Jazz's roster is well-rounded, with a focus on developing their young players. Hardy’s coaching philosophy will play a major role in maximizing the talents of this group as they aim for a Play-In spot or possibly a tank season as they might want to try and get Cooper Flagg or some top player in the stacked 2025 NBA draft class. Utah’s future is looking good as Hardy will be their coach for years.

10. Nick Nurse - Philadelphia 76ers

Nick Nurse has seen things when it comes to coaching. During his career, he’s been an NBA championship winner, an NBA Coach of The Year, an All-Star Game head coach, a D-League Coach of The Year, and even a two-time British Basketball League Coach of The Year. In other words, this man has quite the trophy cabinet. Now, he’s being thrust into yet another year of a championship-caliber roster with the Sixers – time will tell whether or not he can repeat the history he made in Toronto. 

Nurse’s coaching has long been characterized by incredibly aggressive defense and masterful lineup management, especially off the bench. In the Raptors’ championship season, Nurse’s squad produced a top-5 offensive and defensive rating overall and still ranked 7th in offense off of the bench unit alone, which is a rarity for a team that was so Kawhi Leonard-centric. 

However, he hasn’t been nearly as successful with his bench lineup management, with the team’s defensive rating dropping to merely average and the offensive rating to 10th-best (behind the Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Clippers) with the starters off the floor. Even with the starters, Nurse has failed to utilize incredible Joel Embiid’s defensive capabilities along with Robert Covington and De’Anthony Melton in a way that translates to a top-10 defensive rating – only counting Embiid’s games played, the team was 12th in that statistic, which is good yet doesn’t quite make them a concrete contender. 

With Paul George now in the fold and adding yet another offensive weapon to Nurse’s toolbox, it’ll be interesting to see if he reverts to the mid-range-centric, off-ball defensive wall strategy that he did in Toronto.

9. Mike Malone - Denver Nuggets

Largely, it feels as though Mike Malone has gone under the radar when it comes to coaching. He doesn’t make a lot of headlines – unless he’s ripping on the Lakers – and has been blessed by the Nuggets’ center of the universe, Nikola Jokic. However, it’s important to remember that Malone took the risk of building his lineups around a center exactly as the NBA was straying away from big man play, so you have to commend him for his sheer will and contrarian style. 

As a developmental coach, he’s also done a phenomenal job. He’s shown time and time again that he’s willing to put trust in few players, so when he does give a gig to a youngin’, he’s usually right about what he sees. Case in point, 21-year-old Peyton Watson, who slid to the end of the first round in 2022, has turned into a key role player for the team and is one of the only players keeping the second unit afloat in Jokic’s absence. Similarly, Malone has gained buy-in from guys like Julian Strawther and Hunter Tyson, who have shown flashes of good play between their time in the G League and the actual NBA squad. In that way, Malone is a true player’s coach and has the NBA championship to prove it. 

Still, Malone needs to figure out something for when Nikola Jokic is off of the floor. The Nuggets score a nearly unprecedented 17 fewer points with the big man on the bench, allow 4 more points on defense, and look like a generally lost squad out there. Without finding a solution to the problem that has plagued them since the start of his tenure, it’s difficult to call him a top 5 coach. 

8. Rick Carlisle - Indiana Pacers

Rick Carlisle, thus far, has been a coach who has had to endure wildly varying opinions. During his days with the Mavericks, some accused him of being carried by Dirk Nowitzki and, in the later years, Luka Doncic. Now, with the Pacers (for a second time, actually), there are fewer excuses that people can make when arguing his ability to properly coach.

While he’s been blessed with Tyrese Haliburton as an offensive engine, he’s done a marvelous job with the offense for Indiana overall. The team ranks 1st in how spread out its scoring is, meaning that no one player is dominating the offense at any one time. With Haliburton’s help, Carlisle has implemented a 2nd-best offense and has managed to maintain the best offensive rating in the league off the bench via the likes of Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell. It’s arguable that no coach in the NBA right now has been more successful in running pick and roll sets, as seen in his teams’ efficient P&R play, whether it be the Mavericks or the Pacers. 

Despite coming up in a traditionalist coaching tree, he’s been able to improvise and adapt to the new era of the NBA via the three-point revolution, resulting in some creative spacing on a nightly basis. Now, Carlisle needs to prove that he can uphold a quality defense when given the tools, which he’ll get a chance to show in this upcoming season a bit more than he did in the last, and I still have a few concerns about his defensive rotations, especially out of time outs. What he’s already done with the team, however, makes him one of the best coaches in the league at this point.

7. Tom Thibodeau - New York Knicks

If Mike Malone is a player’s coach, Tom Thibodeau is a kill-your-players coach. No, seriously; Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart both played over 48 minutes in a game last season, and DiVincenzo did it twice. I digress, but Thibodeau is known for two things: No mercy and incredible defensive schemes.

In the season prior to Thibodeau’s hiring with the Knicks, the team posted a 23rd-best defensive rating – “best” is really doing a lot of heavy lifting there. Then, after the conclusion of his first season as head coach, the team jumped to 4th overall, a massive spike in defensive production. While he’s a traditionalist in the sense that he commands an offense that was below-average in three-point attempts per game last season, he countered most notions of him being a poor offensive play-caller by creating a top-10 offense around Jalen Brunson.

Without a championship to his name, one can’t really put him in the top 5 quite yet, though he could be well on the way. He now holds command of the most exciting team in the East and is reuniting with former Timberwolves sniper Karl-Anthony Towns in the process. If Towns brings the added three-point punch and Thibs does a better job of managing his players’ health throughout the year (i.e., not playing them 48 minutes in a game), then expect him to jump into the top echelon of current coaches. 

6. Gregg Popovich - San Antonio Spurs

If you bring this ranking back a few years, Popovich likely is the best coach in the league. With his team’s regression (not entirely his fault), his ill-advised point guard experiment from this season, and a general sense of unknown about how good he still is when it comes to the playoff basketball simply by way of not having been included in the playoffs for years, he falls here. That isn’t to say Popovich doesn’t still have the skills, though.

Despite having a terrible team for quite a few years now, he’s consistently developed young players like Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan into quality players, not to mention how well he did with Dejounte Murray, who simply didn’t fit the timeline anymore. His status and authority seem to result in automatic buy-in from his players to play a more beautiful brand of basketball. Case in point, the Spurs ranked 7th-best in passes made per game, 2nd in assists, 1st in potential assists, and ranked in the top 5 for fewest seconds per touch. In other words, the Spurs are moving like they always have, and now it’s just a matter of putting the right pieces around Victor Wembanyama.

With Chris Paul around, Pop should be able to quell his desire to experiment at the PG position, and a shock Play-In – or dare I say it, playoff – berth would likely cause him to reclaim his throne at the top. 

5. Joe Mazzulla - Boston Celtics

What Joe Mazzulla has done thus far with the Celtics is nothing short of incredible. According to Basketball Reference, Mazzulla currently holds the highest all-time winning percentage, having won 73.8% of his games as a head coach. While him holding that record by 2026 or 2027 is unlikely due to its absurdity, it does show how well Mazzulla has handled being thrown into the fire with the Celtics.

One thing that he’s done a phenomenal job at is adjusting mid-game, especially on defense. Per the NBA’s data, the Celtics posted a 5th-best defensive rating in the first half of games last season, which is satisfactory in and of itself. However, with time to adjust to opposing offensive schemes, Mazzulla’s squad becomes the 2nd-best defensive team in the league in the latter half of games, regardless of who’s on the floor. 

Of course, it’s difficult to rank him higher than this because he’s been given such a stacked roster to contend with. The Celtics have a whopping 8 players with an estimated plus-minus rating in the 80th percentile or above, while having Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White as a starting five is a coach’s dream. Without knowledge of how Mazzulla functions with an average roster versus this one, we can’t rank him higher – at least, unless he goes and wins another title. 

4. Tyronn Lue - Los Angeles Clippers

Tyronn Lue’s Los Angeles Clippers enter the 2024 season with lower expectations following the departures of both Paul George and Russell Westbrook. With these key players gone, the focus shifts to how the team can adapt and leverage its remaining talent, particularly Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.

Leonard, still viewed as the franchise player, faces the challenge of leading a roster that is now more reliant on younger players. Harden's presence adds depth to the backcourt, but the team must find a way to win without their “Robin” in Paul George.

Ivica Zubac remains a crucial component in the frontcourt, providing defense. Meanwhile, the emergence of young talents like Jordan Miller and Bones Hyland give the team some hope for the future.

Lue's ability to use this young talent while also playing Harden and Leonard will be key for a successful season as the former Lakers player is mainly used to coaching teams that are hoping to win a title that season. He coached LeBron, Kyrie and the Cavs a while back, so now coaching a team with stars but mostly young talent will be different but exciting to look out for.

3. Mark Daigneault - Oklahoma City Thunder

Mark Daigneault, the reigning Coach of the Year, had a remarkable 2023 season, guiding the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Western Conference Semi-Finals. As the team looks ahead to 2024, he faces new challenges after acquiring Alex Caruso while parting ways with Josh Giddey. Caruso’s ability to guard multiple positions and helping the offense by not being selfish, complements Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, allowing SGA to focus more on his amazing scoring and less on playmaking.

Chet Holmgren’s unique skillset can be great with mismatches, and Daigneault's ability to develop first round picks will be crucial in improving the potential of the young players.

The combination of Caruso’s defensive skills, the young guys on this team, Jalen Williams and Shai’s scoring, and Chet and Isaiah Hartenstein’s big man skills, gives the Thunder another thing to be excited about. Under Daigneault's leadership, the team is set to make another strong playoff push.

2. Steve Kerr - Golden State Warriors

Steve Kerr's 2024 season with the Warriors feels like the calm after a storm that once delivered championship banners, but now leaves questions hanging in the air. For a coach who built a dynasty on chemistry, salary, teamwork, and unlocking Stephen Curry’s full potential, Kerr faces a new kind of challenge. After a brutal 2023 season where they missed the playoffs, and the departure of Klay Thompson, Kerr finds himself steering a ship that looks more like a rebuild than a reload.

The Warriors still have Stephen Curry, and as long as he's on the floor, they remain a good team. But, Kerr’s task this year is about more than just relying on his superstar. The roster is changing with more young players like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podzemski, however Golden State still has the vets like Draymond Green, Curry of course, and Andrew Wiggins. Green is still anchoring the defense, Curry is great as always, but Wiggins is falling off a cliff worse and worse every season.

There’s no more Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, David West, and most importantly, Kevin Durant, it’s not 2019, it’s the 2024 Warriors, trying to make the Play-In. Kerr has never been one to back down from a challenge, and this season will be another test of his adaptability. The real question is whether Kerr can fuse the next generation with the remaining core. Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody have all the skills, but it’s Kerr’s job to use them more. If they don’t get as much play time, expect them both to be shipped soon.

The front office made it clear this isn’t a full rebuild, Draymond Green is still here to anchor the defense and keep the team’s grit intact. But Kerr will have to balance developing the young guys while keeping the Warriors competitive in a loaded Western Conference. His approach will be to lean into what’s worked: ball movement, spacing, and that defensive edge that made the Warriors so lethal during their championship runs.

1. Erik Spoelstra- Miami Heat

Erik Spoelstra enters the 2024 season with the Miami Heat in a familiar position: a decent, older roster that is battling for a top playoff spot. Spoelstra’s teams are always great, but over the past couple of years, the Heat teams have gotten older and some players leave.

After an unexpected Finals run as the 8th seed in 2023, Spoelstra’s Heat are never quite out of the conversation when it comes to postseason. Even if they are the lowest seed, they will always fight to the end and play aggressive basketball. Yet, this season feels different. With a few departures and a mix of new faces, the pressure is on Spoelstra to once again perform the kind of coaching that has defined his career as a great.

Unlike other coaches, Spoelstra’s genius lies in his ability to adapt to whatever hand he’s dealt. Jimmy Butler still drives the team’s culture and effort, but it’s clear the Heat will need more than just Butler’s motor to stay competitive in an even better East. The development of young players like Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. will be pivotal. Herro, in particular, especially after trade talks and an injury-riddled last few years. If Spoelstra can unlock another level in Herro’s game, the Heat could surprise everyone again and be sucessful.

And let’s not forget the key guys—Bam Adebayo remains the defensive anchor, but the team’s success often hinges on Spoelstra’s ability to get the most out of role players. Whether it’s someone like Caleb Martin turning into a playoff hero or Nikola Jović making the leap to an elite role player, Spo can turn unlikely pieces into key contributors.

Spoelstra’s career has been defined by evolution, and this season will be another chapter in his story of reinvention. He’s the kind of coach who thrives in these situations, where others might see an underdog roster, but he sees opportunity. The Heat might not be the favorites, but with Spoelstra at the helm, there’s always a sense they’ll be more dangerous than anyone expects.

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