Look, Ham’s seat was warm before he even packed up his office after the 2024 playoffs. Getting swept by Denver in the 2023 Western Conference Finals was one thing; finishing 7th in the West at 47-35 in 2024 and then losing in five games to the Nuggets again felt like a death knell. The Lakers brass, particularly Jeanie Buss, demands titles. LeBron James isn’t getting any younger, despite averaging 25.7 points and 8.3 assists last season. Anthony Davis put up a monstrous 24.7 points and 12.6 rebounds, but the team’s offensive sets often looked stagnant, relying too heavily on individual brilliance.
Real talk: Ham inherited a mess in 2022, but he hasn't maximized the talent. The mid-season tweaks in 2023 were a success, but the magic wore off. His rotations in 2024 were baffling at times, like playing Christian Wood over Jarred Vanderbilt even when Wood was a defensive liability. If the Lakers aren't top-four in the West by Christmas 2025, he's gone. Expect a veteran like Mike Budenholzer or even a wild card like JJ Redick to be waiting in the wings. My gut says it’s Redick, given the LeBron connection and the desire for a fresh voice.
It’s hard to judge Billups fairly given the situation in Portland. After the Damian Lillard trade, the Blazers were always going to be bad. They finished 21-61 in 2024, the fifth-worst record in the league. Anfernee Simons showed flashes, averaging 22.6 points, and Scoot Henderson, despite a rough rookie campaign with 14.0 points and 5.4 assists on 38.5% shooting, still has immense upside. But 21 wins? That’s not a rebuild; that's just losing.
Thing is, at some point, even in a rebuild, you need to show *something*. Better defensive schemes, more organized offensive sets, or at least a few more competitive losses. Billups hasn't demonstrated much in the way of coaching prowess. He’s a good guy, a Hall of Fame player, but the results aren't there. If the Blazers are below 25 wins by the All-Star break in 2026, he’s a goner. Former Villanova coach Jay Wright, if he ever decides to jump to the pros, would be an interesting fit to mold young talent. Otherwise, someone like Terry Stotts, who has history in Portland, might be brought back for stability.
Hardy is in a tricky spot. The Jazz finished 31-51 in 2024, a slight step back from their surprisingly competitive 2023 campaign where they went 37-45. Lauri Markkanen is a legitimate All-Star, averaging 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds, but the surrounding talent isn't quite there yet. The front office, led by Danny Ainge, has preached patience, but how long does that patience last when you’re consistently in the lottery?
Hardy is a well-respected assistant who came from the Spurs tree, but the team's defensive rating ranked 26th in the league at 118.8 in 2024. That’s not going to cut it. Ainge didn't bring Hardy in to oversee perpetual losing. They need to show significant improvement, perhaps pushing for the play-in tournament in 2026. If they're underperforming by the trade deadline, especially if Markkanen is on the market, Hardy's job becomes incredibly precarious. Quincy Ford, a rising assistant with the Celtics, could get a look, or even former Jazzman and current assistant Adrian Griffin.
This one feels a bit different. Bickerstaff has led the Cavs to three straight winning seasons, including a 48-34 record and a playoff berth in 2024. Donovan Mitchell is playing at an MVP level (26.6 points, 6.1 assists), and the young core of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen is talented. They even won a playoff series against Orlando before falling to Boston. So why the hot seat? Because the discourse around this team consistently points to underachievement given the talent.
The Cavs offense often looks clunky, and the team's ability to close out games has been questioned. They finished 17th in offensive rating in 2024 at 114.7. The front office invested heavily in this core. If they can’t break through to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2026, or if there's any perceived stagnation, Bickerstaff will be the fall guy. Tyronn Lue could be an option if he somehow becomes available, given his history with LeBron and Cleveland's success. More realistically, look for someone like Sam Cassell, known for player development and offensive schemes.
Brown led the Kings to their first playoff berth in 17 years in 2023, going 48-34 and winning Coach of the Year. That bought him a lot of goodwill. However, the Kings regressed slightly in 2024, finishing 46-36 and losing in the play-in tournament. De’Aaron Fox was great (26.6 points, 5.6 assists), and Domantas Sabonis put up historic rebounding numbers (13.7 boards), but the team's defense, particularly against elite guards, remained a problem.
The expectations in Sacramento are no longer just to make the playoffs. They want to win a series, maybe even two. If the Kings are hovering around .500 by the All-Star break and showing little sign of defensive improvement, the pressure will mount. Vivek Ranadivé is an owner who wants excitement and winning. Brown has proven he can coach, but the league moves fast. If the Kings fail to make the playoffs in 2026, he's out. Kenny Atkinson, who runs a strong defensive system, could be a candidate, or perhaps a more offensively minded coach like Frank Vogel.
Clifford is back for a second stint with the Hornets, and it's not going well. They finished 21-61 in 2024, dead last in the Eastern Conference. LaMelo Ball continues to be plagued by injuries, playing only 29 games last season. Brandon Miller showed immense promise in his rookie year, averaging 17.3 points, but the team lacks direction and defensive identity.
Clifford is a defensive-minded coach, but his teams rarely play with the pace or offensive creativity that modern NBA teams thrive on. Charlotte finished 28th in offensive rating at 109.8 in 2024. Michael Jordan sold the team, and the new ownership group, led by Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin, will want to put their stamp on the franchise. Clifford is a placeholder, and if the team isn't showing a clear path to improvement by the end of 2025, he's gone. Expect the new owners to target a fresh face, perhaps a college coach with a strong track record like John Calipari, or a successful G-League coach like Taylor Jenkins.
**Bold prediction:** At least four of these six coaches will be fired before the 2026 All-Star break.
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