The 4 NBA Coaches Who Could Be Fired Before the 2024/25 Season

The 2024/25 NBA season is underway, bringing with it expectations, pressure, and often, coaching dismissals. As teams aim to perform at their best, some coaches find themselves on the hot seat. Among those who could be at risk of losing their jobs before the season ends are Doc Rivers, Willie Green, Mike Malone, and Billy Donovan. Here, we analyze the reasons why these coaches might be under scrutiny.

Doc Rivers - Milwaukee Bucks

Doc Rivers took over the helm of the Milwaukee Bucks midway through last season, a move that always seemed peculiar. Under Adrian Griffin's guidance, the Bucks had a record of 30-13, but with Rivers in charge, the team dropped to 17-19. While Rivers will now have a full preseason to implement his playing style, the decline in performance is concerning. Moreover, the lack of minutes for young prospects like MarJon Beauchamp, who went from playing 15.7 minutes in 34 games to just 5.3 minutes in 14 games under Rivers, raises questions about his approach to developing new talents.

The Bucks have stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton, but the team is aging and needs to rejuvenate its rotation. Rivers' lack of offensive creativity could lead to the team plateauing. If things don't improve quickly, Milwaukee could find itself at a crossroads: would it be wise to keep a coach who fails to bring out the best in his team, or would it be preferable to seek a new direction midseason?

Willie Green - New Orleans Pelicans

Willie Green has shown progress every year since taking over as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, but his situation largely depends on Zion Williamson's health. If Williamson, a key piece for the team, stays healthy this season and the Pelicans still can't find a winning rhythm, Green could be in trouble. The franchise has invested heavily in building a team that maximizes Williamson's talent, including acquiring the versatile guard Dejounte Murray.

However, the relationship between Brandon Ingram and Green's system has been less than ideal, with Ingram showing hesitance in his role as a three-point shooter. If the team falls short of its goals despite having its stars at full strength, management may seek a change, although it would be unfair to place all the responsibility on Green. Nonetheless, in the pursuit of greater success, Green could become the casualty of a restructuring that sidelines him from the team.

Billy Donovan - Chicago Bulls

Billy Donovan has exceeded expectations in terms of his tenure in Chicago, considering the Bulls' meager results in recent years. Since his arrival, the team has been a regular in the play-in tournament but has failed to surpass that barrier and emerge as a solid contender. In five seasons, they have only managed one playoff win, with a winning percentage of just 49.1%. With these stats, it wouldn't be hard for the Bulls' management to justify a change if the team starts the season poorly.

Furthermore, the relationship between Donovan and the organization is intricate, as his son William is the coach of the team's G League side, the Windy City Bulls. Parting ways with Billy could have a domino effect within the team's structure. Despite losing DeMar DeRozan over the summer, the Bulls still consider themselves a competitive team. If the team is 10-12 games below .500 midway through the season, management could opt for a clean slate, and Donovan would be the first to face the consequences.

Mike Malone - Denver Nuggets

Michael Malone seems to be in a secure position after leading the Denver Nuggets to the NBA championship in 2023, and having an excellent relationship with the team's star, Nikola Jokić. However, reports have emerged of growing tension between Malone and the team's front office. Despite signing a lucrative contract extension less than a year ago, this friction could prompt the franchise to find a reason to end the relationship.

Malone wasn't responsible for the departures of key players like Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in consecutive seasons, which could lead to discontent among fans if the management were to let him go. Nevertheless, if the expectations for a team coming off a championship season aren't met, the margin for error will be slim. Firing Malone would be a controversial decision, but not entirely out of the question, especially if the team stumbles in their quest for a second title.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Los 4 entrenadores NBA que pueden ser despedidos antes en la temporada 2024/25