NBA Could Have 8-12 Head Coaching Changes In Offseason
April 8, 2026
RealGM Basketball Wiretap
The NBA had just two coaching changes during the 2025 offseason, but there is a growing expectation that the league could have more than a third of its teams turnover their position this year. There's going to be 8 to 12 [changes], one league source with direct knowledge of the coaching market told Jake Fischer. Last season, a pair of teams made sudden coaching changes right before the playoffs as the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins and the Denver Nuggets fired Michael Malone.
Their interim head coach hires Tuomas Iisalo and David Adelman were retained. Doug Christie and Mitch Johnson were also retained by the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs, respectively, after they initially were on an interim basis. This left the New York Knicks replacing Tom Thibodeau with Mike Brown, and the Phoenix Suns replacing Mike Budenholzer with Jordan Ott as the only true coaching changes in the offseason. The New Orleans Pelicans fired Willie Green midseason and James Borrego has led the team on an interim basis. Tiago Splitter has also served as interim head coach this season while Chauncey Billups has been on leave following his arrest as part of a federal gambling investigation. Doc Rivers has openly talked about the possibility of leaving the Milwaukee Bucks, while Jamahl Mosley's status with the Orlando Magic is very uncertain after a disappointing season. Steve Kerr is also entering the offseason without a contract for the 2026-27 season with the Golden State Warriors.
RealGM Basketball Wiretap
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