The cycle of NBA coaching changes for 2025 has concluded. According to a report by Shams Charania, the New York Knicks are anticipated to appoint Mike Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year recipient, replacing the recently dismissed Tom Thibodeau.
Despite guiding the Knicks to their most successful period since the 1990s, including winning at least one playoff series for three consecutive years and reaching the conference finals to cap his five-season tenure with the team he supported since childhood, this was insufficient for Thibodeau to retain his position and potentially end New York`s 26-year NBA Finals appearance drought and 52-year championship drought in the upcoming season.
Brown, who was let go by the Sacramento Kings during a losing streak in late December, now steps into the Knicks head coaching role facing extremely high expectations.
Brown`s appointment finalized a summer marked by significant changes in leadership roles throughout the league. The Phoenix Suns dismissed Mike Budenholzer just one year into a five-year agreement, ultimately naming Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as their new coach. The Denver Nuggets parted ways with both head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth with less than a week remaining in the regular season, later confirming David Adelman as the permanent head coach in May after he served on an interim basis. The decision in Denver followed closely after the Memphis Grizzlies terminated long-serving coach Taylor Jenkins. Memphis subsequently made Tuomas Iisalo their permanent head coach after his interim period.
Below is our yearly assessment of the NBA`s coaching changes, examining the advantages and disadvantages of each position and outlining the future prospects for the newly appointed coaches.
Hired Jobs
New York Knicks
- 2024-25 Record: 51-31
- New Coach: Mike Brown
- Previous Coach: Tom Thibodeau
- Lead Executive: Leon Rose (hired in 2020)
Positive: Ready-to-win roster, financial flexibility
This role represents the type of opportunity many coaches aspire to. New York possesses a roster featuring two All-NBA caliber players, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, supported by a trio of adaptable wings in OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart, and solid bench contributors like Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride. The team benefits from being in a high-profile market and having a competitive roster, which can attract veteran free agents willing to sign for minimum contracts to enhance team depth.
However, despite their individual talent, the starting five was outscored by 31 points over 335 playoff minutes and recorded a negative net rating in 379 minutes from January 1st through the end of the regular season. New York also ranked poorly in 3-point attempts per game (27th) and pace (26th), statistics that could potentially change with a different coaching approach.
Negatives: Elevated expectations, roster constraints
Given that the Knicks parted ways with a coach after achieving one of the franchise`s most successful periods in recent memory, the bar is set exceptionally high for his successor. The team`s statement announcing Thibodeau`s dismissal was clear: `Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans.`
Brown will have no ambiguity regarding his primary objective. Yet, he faces the challenge of building a defense capable of championship contention with both Brunson and Towns on the court, a feat Thibodeau couldn`t achieve over six games against the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals. This task would have been even more demanding had New York advanced to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.
Any setbacks next season will inevitably lead to immediate scrutiny over the decision to move on from Thibodeau.
Phoenix Suns
- 2024-25 Record: 36-46 (No. 11 in West)
- New Coach: Jordan Ott (hired on June 4)
- Previous Coach: Mike Budenholzer
- Lead Executive: James Jones (hired in 2018)
Positive: Presence of a franchise player, veteran role players
Owner Mat Ishbia`s declaration less than a year ago that `26 out of 29` teams would willingly swap positions with the Suns appears even less accurate now that the team traded Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets. Phoenix still retains Devin Booker, a franchise cornerstone, alongside Jalen Green, who was acquired in the trade involving Durant. The Suns also prioritized big men in the draft, adding centers Mark Williams (via trade) and Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall pick.
Beyond these players, Phoenix possesses valuable veteran depth in Bradley Beal, Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, Nick Richards, and Royce O`Neale, complemented by promising rookies like Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro who could form a reliable part of the team`s rotation.
Negatives: Organizational instability, restricted roster, financial, and draft flexibility
Phoenix is now on its fourth head coach in four seasons, having dismissed Mike Budenholzer, who was appointed with considerable anticipation last spring. Owner Mat Ishbia, who has overseen the team for just over two years, has already dismissed three coaches.
Fundamentally, the Suns face numerous limitations. The team has traded away control of its future draft selections for several seasons and is significantly over the NBA`s `second apron` luxury tax threshold, resulting in an extremely expensive roster with limited means to enhance it. While Durant was traded, the return package—Brooks, Green, and the pick used for Maluach—was considerably less substantial than the significant assets Phoenix initially sent for him two and a half years prior. Furthermore, the future of Bradley Beal, another All-Star acquired via trade, remains uncertain.
Who got the job: Jordan Ott
Following a multi-week interview process, reports indicated that the Suns` search for their next head coach narrowed down to two candidates, both from the Cleveland Cavaliers coaching staff: associate coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant Jordan Ott.
Ott had served as an NBA assistant coach since 2012 and is known for his commitment to principles of creative offense and defense, player development, and instilling toughness, according to sources.
After dismissing Budenholzer on April 14th, new General Manager Brian Gregory oversaw a multi-round hiring process that commenced with over 15 potential candidates. A group of five finalists—including Ott, Bryant, Miami assistant Chris Quinn, Oklahoma City assistant Dave Bliss, and Suns assistant David Fizdale—participated in in-person interviews with team management.
Denver Nuggets
- 2024-25 Record: 50-32 (No. 4 in West)
- New Coach: David Adelman (interim tag removed on May 22)
- Previous Coach: Michael Malone (fired April 8; Adelman took over on interim basis)
- Lead Executive: None (GM Calvin Booth, promoted in 2020, was also let go)
Positive: Championship-caliber talent base
Opportunities like this are rare. Although Nikola Jokic finished second to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for this season`s Most Valuable Player award, he is widely regarded as the top player globally. Jamal Murray serves as an exceptional partner in pick-and-roll actions and, after struggling in the playoffs, has demonstrated play at a high level again, both with Team Canada over the summer and at the beginning of this season. Aaron Gordon is a versatile defender who complements Jokic effectively on both ends of the court, and Christian Braun has developed into a strong contributor, having a terrific season that put him into consideration for Most Improved Player.
Even with a competitive Western Conference featuring multiple contenders, Denver was arguably poised to enter the playoffs as a favorite, behind Oklahoma City, before the unexpected dismissal of Michael Malone after a decade with the Nuggets marked by unprecedented success.
Negatives: Restricted financial and roster flexibility
Denver has historically been cautious about significant spending on coaches and executives, though this is a secondary concern compared to the long-term constraints on maintaining the team`s championship-contending status. Like many established contenders, this franchise has traded away a substantial number of draft picks and is committed to long-term contracts. On the positive side, the core players are all under contract for at least the next couple of seasons.
Who got the job: David Adelman
After serving as the interim head coach since Michael Malone`s departure last month, David Adelman, the 44-year-old son of Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman, has been officially promoted to the permanent head coaching position. Adelman spent eight seasons as Malone`s assistant and led the Nuggets to a Game 7 against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the postseason. He will be a key figure in team owner Stan Kroenke`s strategy to maximize the remaining prime years of Nikola Jokic.
San Antonio Spurs
- 2024-25 Record: 34-48 (No. 13 in West)
- New Coach: Mitch Johnson
- Previous Coach: Gregg Popovich (transitioning to full-time role as president of basketball operations)
- Lead Executive: RC Buford (promoted to CEO in 2019)
Positives: Exciting young core, abundance of draft assets
San Antonio exemplifies a stable and supportive organization backed by a history of strong ownership. The Spurs have drafted consecutive Rookie of the Year winners in potential superstar Victor Wembanyama and guard Stephon Castle. They held two lottery picks in this year`s draft, selecting Dylan Harper (No. 2) and Carter Bryant (No. 14). The team controls all of its own future first and second-round draft picks and holds additional future assets including two extra first-rounders, nine extra second-rounders, and first-round pick swap rights with Atlanta in 2027, Dallas or Minnesota in 2030, and Boston in 2031. The Spurs also acquired De`Aaron Fox, a franchise point guard, who is eligible for a long-term contract extension later this year.
Negatives: Market size, ownership spending habits, immense legacy to follow
While San Antonio is expanding, it remains one of the league`s smaller markets, which can influence player acquisition, although the Spurs organization maintains an excellent reputation. Ownership has incurred only $5 million in luxury tax payments over the last 13 years, and with significant contracts anticipated for Fox and Wembanyama, coupled with the complexities of high payrolls, monitoring spending will be important. However, since the Spurs were last contenders, they have brought in new partners with deep pockets, including billionaire Michael Dell and investment firm Sixth Street. Furthermore, stepping into Gregg Popovich`s role presents a unique challenge, given his achievement of five championships and establishment of a profound legacy over the preceding 29 years.
Who got the job: Mitch Johnson
Mitch Johnson, who served as acting head coach after Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November, now assumes permanent head coaching duties. Popovich had increasingly relied on Johnson in recent years, granting him greater responsibility in game preparation and in-game coaching decisions. Johnson has also developed a strong rapport with Victor Wembanyama. Johnson coached San Antonio to a 31-45 record during Popovich`s absence.
Memphis Grizzlies
- 2024-25 Record: 48-34 (No. 8 in West)
- New Coach: Tuomas Iisalo (hired on May 2)
- Previous Coach: Taylor Jenkins (fired March 28; Iisalo took over on interim basis)
- Lead Executive: Zach Kleiman (hired in 2019)
Positive: A promising young core group
With Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis possesses a star pairing entering their prime, providing the Grizzlies with a foundation to contend throughout the latter half of this decade. General Manager Zach Kleiman has demonstrated an ability to uncover talented players in the second round and among undrafted free agents, providing Memphis with significant depth and roster versatility behind their main stars.
One NBA executive noted that this team, if circumstances align favorably, is reminiscent of the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to Kenny Atkinson`s arrival and the subsequent improvement this season. This kind of positive transformation is what Kleiman and the Grizzlies front office believe is achievable.
Negatives: Small market limitations, recent organizational instability
Memphis is far from being considered a glamorous NBA market, and the team has experienced considerable internal friction and uncertainty over the past year.
The Grizzlies dismissed almost Taylor Jenkins` entire coaching staff last summer, bringing in several new additions including Tuomas Iisalo and Noah LaRoche. Subsequently, not only was Jenkins fired in March, but LaRoche, who had been responsible for hiring several player development coaches, was also let go.
Turning to the roster, in addition to dealing with numerous injuries, the Grizzlies have faced a series of off-court issues concerning Ja Morant over the years. The team had managed to mitigate Morant`s absences thanks to the contributions of Jackson, Bane, impressive depth, and, until his dismissal, Jenkins` coaching efforts.
Who got the job: Tuomas Iisalo
League-wide expectation was that Tuomas Iisalo would be strongly considered for the head coaching position after the franchise moved on from Taylor Jenkins in late March. The Grizzlies brought him over from Europe last offseason and placed him on Jenkins` staff. He evidently showed enough promise during the team`s final games and their run to the first round of the playoffs. Iisalo now holds the distinction of being the first Finnish-born head coach in NBA history.
Sacramento Kings
- 2024-25 Record: 40-42 (No. 9 in West)
- New Coach: Doug Christie
- Previous Coach: Mike Brown (fired in December; assistant Doug Christie took over on interim basis)
- Lead Executive: GM Scott Perry (hired on April 17 after Monte McNair parted ways with the team)
Positive: Experienced, competitive talent pool
Predicting Sacramento as a title contender based on its current roster is challenging. However, a coach inheriting a team featuring Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk has the potential to be competitive in every contest. This aspect made the Kings` vacancy relatively appealing compared to the typical talent levels available in open coaching jobs.
With all these players under team control for at least the next couple of seasons, there is a window for them to play together, which further enhances the job`s attractiveness for a new coach.
Negatives: Smaller market size, decades of instability
A key statistic highlighting the difficulty of this job is the Kings` coaching history since relocating to Sacramento in 1984. Only two coaches have completed at least one full season with a winning record: Rick Adelman, who achieved this for eight consecutive seasons from 1999 to 2006, and Mike Brown in the last two seasons. Sacramento has reached the playoffs in only three of the 33 seasons not coached by Adelman, underscoring the inherent challenges.
Veteran NBA executive Scott Perry now assumes the General Manager role, replacing Monte McNair, who left the Kings following their elimination in the play-in tournament. The team also saw the departure of assistant general manager Wes Wilcox, who took the GM position for the Utah Utes earlier in the month. Another potential drawback is the organization`s reluctance to pay the luxury tax, a threshold that owner Vivek Ranadive has historically avoided.
Who got the job: Doug Christie
Doug Christie has deep historical ties to the Kings organization, having been a starter on the iconic teams coached by Rick Adelman in the early 2000s. The Kings achieved a 27-24 record this season with Christie serving as the interim head coach. During this period, the team ranked ninth in offensive efficiency and compiled a 13-10 record in clutch-time games, a significant improvement compared to their 6-13 record under Mike Brown, according to ESPN Research.