Top 5 NBA Coaches on the Hot Seat This Season

By Edcel Panganiban June 20, 2025 07:01

The 2024-25 NBA season has been marked by surprising coaching changes and mounting pressure on several head coaches whose jobs now hang in the balance. With the playoffs looming and franchises eager to reset or push deeper into contention, the hot seat has become a familiar place. Here’s a look at the top five NBA coaches facing intense scrutiny and possible dismissal this offseason.

1. Doc Rivers – Milwaukee Bucks

Doc Rivers took over the Bucks midway through the 2023-24 season amid skepticism, but the 2024-25 campaign has done little to quiet critics. Despite a roster featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Milwaukee struggled to find consistency and failed to assert dominance atop the Eastern Conference. Injuries played a role, but Rivers’ inability to maximize the team’s potential has been a focal point. With a record below expectations and questions about his tactical adjustments, Rivers is widely viewed as the most vulnerable coach on the hot seat.

2. Mike Budenholzer – Phoenix Suns

Mike Budenholzer’s tenure with the Suns lasted just one season before he was dismissed, making his situation emblematic of the Suns’ recent coaching carousel. After firing three coaches in three years, Phoenix’s front office showed little patience for Budenholzer’s underwhelming results despite a talented roster. His firing underscores the high stakes for coaches in the NBA’s competitive Western Conference, where expectations are sky-high and playoff success is demanded immediately.

3. Willie Green – New Orleans Pelicans

Willie Green, who led the Pelicans to the playoffs in previous seasons, now finds himself on uncertain ground. New Orleans has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, leading to a sub-.500 record that threatens Green’s job security. The Pelicans’ management is reportedly evaluating whether a coaching change could better position the team for growth alongside young stars like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

4. Chris Finch – Minnesota Timberwolves

Chris Finch’s future with the Timberwolves is also in question after a disappointing season that saw Minnesota miss the playoffs. Despite a talented roster headlined by Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, the team failed to gel consistently. Finch’s strategies and rotations have been scrutinized, and with the franchise eager to make a leap, a coaching change is considered a possibility.

5. Nick Nurse – Philadelphia 76ers

Nick Nurse, who has a championship pedigree with the Toronto Raptors, is facing pressure after the 76ers underperformed relative to expectations. Philadelphia’s mix of stars and role players has yet to translate into playoff success, and questions about Nurse’s ability to manage egos and adapt tactically have surfaced. The 76ers’ front office is weighing whether a new voice could unlock the team’s potential in the coming season.

Additional Coaches Under Scrutiny

Beyond these five, other coaches like Quin Snyder (Atlanta Hawks) and Billy Donovan (Chicago Bulls) have also faced criticism amid uneven team performances. Snyder’s Hawks have battled injuries and inconsistency, while Donovan’s Bulls have struggled to maintain a winning trajectory despite talent on the roster.

The Coaching Carousel and Available Candidates

The firings of Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets) and Taylor Jenkins (Memphis Grizzlies) before the playoffs highlight the volatile nature of coaching jobs in 2025. With several experienced coaches now available, including Frank Vogel who led the Lakers to the 2020 championship and rising assistant coaches like Sam Cassell and Chris Quinn, teams have a rich pool of candidates to consider.

Frank Vogel, in particular, remains a strong candidate due to his playoff experience and championship pedigree, despite recent short stints with the Lakers and Suns. Meanwhile, promising assistants such as Cassell and Quinn are being groomed for head coaching roles, signaling a potential shift toward fresh leadership styles in the NBA.

The 2025 NBA season’s coaching hot seat list reflects the league’s high expectations and low tolerance for underperformance. Coaches like Doc Rivers and Mike Budenholzer face uphill battles to retain their positions, while others like Willie Green and Chris Finch must prove their worth quickly. With a deep pool of available coaching talent, the offseason promises significant movement, as franchises seek the right leader to guide them to sustained success.