Which NBA coaches are on the hot seat in 2023?

NBA coaches used to have a much longer leash to establish the type of team they envision, but it seems like those days are over. Front offices have parted ways with coaches who have won championships in the last few years, meaning that most bench leads can’t feel too comfortable. We’ll take a closer look at the NBA coaches whose job security may be the most tenuous.

He’s the son of a Washington basketball legend, but Unseld Jr.’s last name is only going to get him so far in the nation’s capital. The Wizards have decided to rebuild after sending Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns this offseason, leaving Unseld with an enigmatic cast of characters. After two straight 35-47 finishes in D.C., Unseld will somehow have to find a way to improve on that in 2023.

Coaches don’t usually have two tours of duty with one franchise unless they’re supremely successful, so it was always a bit odd that Clifford got a second chance in Charlotte. He seemed to be a favorite of Michael Jordan, who just sold his controlling interest in the team this summer. Clifford may not have the high-ranking support he once did, making his situation somewhat unstable.

It’s often said in the NBA that the worst place to be is in the middle of the standings. That’s where Chicago has found themselves in recent years, too good to get premier draft picks, but not good enough to be a playoff contender. The Bulls have become a bit of an apathetic franchise, and might want a jolt of excitement to get their fans reinvigorated.

There’s a strong case to be made that Thibodeau is the best coach the Knicks have had in 20 years. With that said, the bar in the Big Apple is high, and New York expects the team to flirt with conference supremacy after a return to relevancy. Many Knicks fans complain about Thibodeau’s lack of offensive adjustments, even though his record with the team has been solid.

The Grizzlies have had to deal with a myriad of untimely injuries and the saga involving Ja Morant, which is a tricky hand for Jenkins to navigate. It would be somewhat unfortunate if Memphis decide to part ways with him after the season, but the team has gotten off to a very slow start after finishing with the second seed in the West a year ago.

Billups’ name came up often with regards to hot coaching candidates in the last few years, but his tenure with the Blazers has been turbulent at best. The former NBA champion guard is now tasked with developing a stable of young ballhandlers in Portland, which will ultimately determine his fate.

There may not be a more all-in team in the NBA right now than the Clippers. Lue is challenged with getting Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard to coexist and thrive with one another. Los Angeles would have trouble finding someone better than Lue to lead this group, but could still make a change if the season ends in disappointing fashion.

The Mavericks are fortunate enough to have a generational young talent on their roster in Luka Doncic, but the organization will need to prove to him that they can be a perennial championship contender. Kidd led Dallas to the Western Conference Finals in his first year, but they missed the playoffs in 2022.