NBA 2025 Hot Seat Report:NBA Coaches Who Could Be Fired Next
Coaching in the NBA is not easy. One minute you're the hero, and the next minute people are talking about firing you. This season has already surprised us with some big changes, like when the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies let go of their coaches. That got a lot of people thinking: Who’s next?
In this article, we’ll go through five coaches who might be in trouble soon. We'll explain why their jobs could be at risk and help you understand what makes teams fire coaches in the first place.
What’s Going On With NBA Coaches This Season?
You know how sometimes a team doesn’t play well and people start pointing fingers? That’s what’s happening in the NBA right now. Some teams expected to win big... just didn’t. So, when things go wrong, the coach is usually the first person blamed.
Two coaches, Michael Malone from the Nuggets and Taylor Jenkins from the Grizzlies, already lost their jobs—even though most people didn’t see that coming. It shows us one thing: no coach is 100% safe.
By the way, if you’re following your favorite team and want to watch them in action, many fans check out NBA Streams live on Sportsurge to keep up.
Coaches Who Could Be in Trouble
1. Mike Budenholzer – Phoenix Suns
Let’s be honest, this Suns team has big-time stars like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. You’d think they’d be crushing it, right? But nope. They’ve been losing more than they should, and their defense isn’t helping either.
Why he might get fired: The team has a lot of talent but just isn’t winning. That’s a big problem.
Check out what CBS Sports said about Budenholzer’s situation—they broke it down in a really simple way.
2. Tom Thibodeau – New York Knicks
Thibs (that’s his nickname!) has helped the Knicks do well in the regular season. They’ve been one of the top teams in the East. But once the playoffs start? Things fall apart.
Why people are worried: His players play a lot of minutes and get tired by playoff time. And fans want more than just a good regular season.
3. Billy Donovan – Chicago Bulls
The Bulls feel like they’re stuck. Not bad enough to rebuild. Not good enough to compete. And that’s frustrating.
What’s wrong: The team doesn’t seem to be getting better. And when that happens, people start looking at the coach.
4. Chauncey Billups – Portland Trail Blazers
Chauncey used to be a great player, and now he’s trying to be a great coach. But it’s not easy. The Blazers are kind of in a weird spot—not rebuilding, but not winning either.
Why fans are nervous: The team hasn’t figured out who they are. That often leads to changes.
5. Willie Green – New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are super fun to watch when they’re healthy. But they’ve had injuries and haven’t played their best basketball yet. People thought they’d be better.
Why he’s on this list: With stars like Zion Williamson, fans expect more. And if they don’t get it, the coach might be blamed.
Why Do NBA Coaches Get Fired So Often?
Let’s break it down in a simple way:
It’s all about winning
Even if you’re a nice guy or a smart coach, if your team loses too much, you might get fired. Winning is everything.
Players have more power now
Sometimes, if a star player doesn’t like a coach, it can lead to big problems. In today’s NBA, players have a lot of say in what happens.
Teams want results—fast
Long-term plans? Nope. Most teams want to win right now, and they don’t want to wait. If things don’t go well quickly, they move on.
Q: Why do teams fire coaches during the season?
A: They hope a new coach can make things better fast—maybe even help them make the playoffs.
Q: Do players help decide if a coach stays?
A: Sometimes! Star players have a lot of influence on the team’s big decisions.
Q: Is the playoffs the most important part of a coach’s job?
A: Yes. A team might win a lot in the regular season, but if they lose early in the playoffs, the coach could still get fired.
Q: Can a good coach still get fired?
A: Yep! Even great coaches get fired if the team isn’t winning or moving in the right direction.
Conclusion
If you think coaching is a fun and easy job, think again! It’s super stressful. One bad week and people are already talking about firing you.
Right now, coaches like Budenholzer, Thibodeau, and Donovan are feeling the heat. If their teams don’t start winning soon, we might be reading about more changes before the season is over.
Thanks for hanging out and reading this! If you love the NBA like I do, keep watching—because things change fast in this league.
