Steve Starr
- BetUS believes the Wizards’ Scott Brooks (+250) is the favorite to be the next NBA coach to lose his job
- The Kings’ recent nine-game losing streak put Luke Walton (+375) on the hot seat
- Lloyd Pierce is an incredible bet at +2000 considering the Hawks had playoff aspirations entering the season
Last week, the Minnesota Timberwolves made the first head coaching change of the hoops season, replacing Ryan Saunders with former Raptors assistant Chris Finch.
Given the NBA has the highest coaching turnover rate among North America’s four major professional sports leagues, with a new bench boss hired every 2.4 seasons on average, there will almost certainly be more bloodshed in the weeks to come.
So, who will be the next basketball coach to be shown the door? Let’s check the latest odds and place our bets.
Odds To Be Next NBA Coach Fired
 |
|
| Scott Brooks (Wizards) | +250 |
| Dwane Casey (Pistons) | +325 |
| Luke Walton (Kings) | +375 |
| Steve Clifford (Magic) | +375 |
| JB Bickerstaff (Cavaliers) | +750 |
| Stan Van Gundy (Pelicans) | +750 |
| Rick Carlisle (Mavericks) | +2000 |
| Lloyd Pierce (Hawks) | +2000 |
| Stephen Silas (Rockets) | +3000 |
| Mark Daigneault (Thunder) | +3000 |
| Field | +500 |
Need your next bet to be a layup? Check out our NBA wagering tips here.
Coaches on the Hot Seat
Scott Brooks (+250) is the favorite to hit the unemployment line first, but no so fast — the Wizards have won seven of their past nine contests with victories over quality opponents such as the Trail Blazers, Nuggets, and Lakers. While Brooks is well under-.500 in his five-year stint in the nation’s capital, Washington could easily nab a playoff spot in the perennially lifeless NBA Eastern Conference.
Dwayne Casey (+325) has had a rough ride since being dumped by the Raptors in 2018. After coaching Detroit to a 20-46 (.303) record last year, his team’s winning percentage has dipped further this season to .273 (9-24). The only team that’s worse is the Timberwolves, who of course just fired their coach, and the Pistons front office was overhauled in the offseason. However, with the organization in full tank mode, canning Casey would be illogical.
Congrats, Coach Scott Brooks, on reaching an amazing milestone 👏 pic.twitter.com/Y3yQCnyoFs
— Wizards Nation (@WizardsNationCP) February 28, 2021
Luke Walton (+375) is only in the second season of a four-year deal, but he wasn’t hired by current Kings GM Monte McNair and there’s a potential replacement on staff in assistant Alvin Gentry. Before defeating the Pistons on Friday, Sacramento was on a nine-game losing streak, their longest since 2009, and they have been the worst defensive team in the NBA this season.
Walton has also had a series of run-ins with Buddy Hield over the past year, so the Kings could prioritize the development of its younger players and make a switch rather than play out the season in hopes of securing a better draft pick.
Other candidates to be canned
Steve Clifford (+375) led the Magic to the playoffs in each of his first two years behind the bench, but don’t give him too much credit. Orlando was actually five games under-.500 in those two seasons combined, and they’re currently third-last in the Eastern Conference with a 13-21 mark. Still, the Magic have been hit hard by injuries this season and Clifford has likely built up enough goodwill to keep his job.
JB Bickerstaff (+750) has rallied the troops in Cleveland. Following an ugly 10-game losing streak, the Cavaliers have now reeled off three straight Ws against the Hawks, Rockets, and 76ers. Considering it’s only his first year coaching the Cavs, he should be safe.
Here’s Luke Walton SMASHING a clipboard like Steve Kerr.https://t.co/2XrusN44MI
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) February 26, 2021
Stan Van Gundy (+750) seemed like a solid coaching hired back in October, but New Orleans is a disappointing 14-19 after losing seven of their past ten games.
The Pelicans own the second-worst defensive rating in the league, which is uncharacteristic of a Stan Van club, but there’s no way the Ron Jeremy lookalike will lose his job with Zion Williamson playing this well. The 20-year-old forward will soon become the fourth-youngest player to compete in the All-Star Game after averaging 25.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists through 32 contests.
Best Longshot to Lose His Job
Lloyd Pierce (+2000), unlike many of the other men on this list, heads a team that entered the 2020-21 NBA season with playoff aspirations. And while the Hawks can blame their 14-19 record on having the second-most games lost to injuries in the league, they have also blown ten fourth-quarter leads.
Pierce has compiled a grotesque 63-119 (.346) career record in Atlanta over the past three years and is in the final guaranteed season of his contract. He has also had issues with franchise player Trae Young.
With no postseason appearances since 2017, the Hawks are poised to make a coaching switch over the next month. At +2000, this one is a layup.
Best Bet to be Next NBA Coach Fired: Lloyd Pierce (+2000 at BetUS)
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