NBA coaching carousel: Firings, hirings, what's next for each job

Six NBA teams will have new head coaches entering the 2026-27 season.

TheMilwaukee Bucksbecame the first team to fill its vacancy, hiring Taylor Jenkins as the new coach. He replaces Doc Rivers, who exited the role after the regular season. ThePortland Trail Blazers(Micah Nori),Dallas Mavericks(Dusty May),Chicago Bulls(Tiago Splitter),New Orleans Pelicans(Jamahl Mosley) andOrlando Magic(Sean Sweeney) have also hired new coaches.

What's next for each team? We review the entire offseason coaching carousel to get you ready for next season.

Hired jobs

2025-26 record: 42-40 (lost in first round)

New coach: Micah Nori (hired June 23)

Previous coach:Chauncey Billups (on leave), Tiago Splitter (coached this season on an interim basis)

Lead executive: Joe Cronin (hired December 2021)

Why this job is open:The Trail Blazers job has been in flux ever since Billups was arrested as part of an FBI investigation into an illegal betting scheme back in October. While Splitter did a commendable job on an interim basis throughout the season, after losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round Portland is conducting a full search for a long-term replacement.

Positives of the job:There's a pretty solid collection of talent in Portland, led by one of the season's breakout players: forward Deni Avdija. Portland has a ton of long, rangy athletes around him -- plus massive center Donovan Clingan protecting the rim -- which allows the Trail Blazers the ability to create a compelling defensive mix.

Negatives of the job: There are real questions about what the ownership of Tom Dundon, who officially bought the team in April, is going to look like. He has been open about cutting costs and Portland made several moves to shave money off expenditures in the time since he assumed control of the franchise. On top of that, Portland is not anywhere near the talent level of the top teams in the West, and the Blazers' books are pretty full money-wise for the next couple of seasons -- which is how long Avdija is on a below-market contract before he will become a free agent.

What does the new coach bring?:Dundon's first coaching search as Blazers owner landed on Nori, a first-time head coach who has been an NBA assistant since 2009. Nori spent the past fiveseasons as the Timberwolves' lead assistant under Chris Finch, a stint that included five playoff appearances and two trips to the Western Conference finals. Nori drew national attention when he briefly filled in for an injured Finch during the 2024 playoffs, and he was a candidate for multiple head coaching jobs before landing with Portland. The Blazers contacted several coaches in the NBA and college ranks before hiring Nori to replace Tiago Splitter, who served as Portland's interim head coach following Chauncey Billups' arrest on gambling charges last October. The Bulls hired Splitter to be their head coach earlier this month.

2025-26 record: 26-56 (missed postseason)

New coach: Dusty May (finalizing deal)

Previous coach: Jason Kidd (mutually parted ways May 19)

Lead executive: Masai Ujiri (hired May 2026)

Positives of the job: This begins and ends with Cooper Flagg. Yes, there is other talent on the roster and a couple of first-round picks to work with this summer. But Flagg has a chance to be a true difference-making talent. He has the positional size and skill set on the wing that make him one of the most malleable stars in the NBA -- presenting the Mavericks with flexibility in building out a contending roster around him. Flagg is an ideal building block who makes this an intriguing job all by himself.

Negatives of the job: For starters, there are the teams located a few hours' drive north (the Oklahoma City Thunder) and southwest (the San Antonio Spurs) that will likely pose a persistent threat for the next decade. Dallas also has burned through its first-round picks for the next several years, and both Kyrie Irving's age (34) and Dereck Lively II's injuries make it tough to rely on either of them being a long-term building block alongside Flagg.

What does the new coach bring? May arrives in Dallas with major cachet, coming to the NBA fresh off coaching Michigan to an NCAA championship. He has earned a reputation as a creative basketball mind who excels at developing talent, a facet of coaching that will be critical to the Mavs' goal of building a sustainable contender around reigning Rookie of the Year Flagg. With Dallas selecting ninth in the 2026 draft, May will also have a unique perspective on several prospects, including three Michigan players who are potential lottery picks: center Aday Mara, power forward/center Morez Johnson Jr. and forward Yaxel Lendeborg.

2025-26 record: 31-51 (missed postseason)

New coach: Tiago Splitter (hired on June 15)

Previous coach: Billy Donovan (stepped down April 21)

Lead executive: Bryson Graham (hired on May 4)

Positives of the job: A lot about Chicago's situation is appealing: a huge market, a giant fan base and ownership that has proven to be patient. And in a deep 2026 draft, Chicago will pick twice in the top 15.

Negatives of the job: There is a definitive lack of talent on the roster. Josh Giddey is a below-average starting point guard, while Matas Buzelis is an intriguing young player who might eventually be an above-average starter. Outside of that, this group will take significant time to develop into a true factor in the East. With lottery reform coming next season, that task could become even more difficult.

What does the new coach bring? Splitter earned positive reviews from around the league for the work he did in Portland during a tumultuous season, guiding the Trail Blazers to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Splitter, who coached 25-year-old forwardDeni Avdijato a breakthrough All-NBA season, will be tasked with overseeing the development of Buzelis, presumablyCaleb Wilsonwith the No. 4 overall pick and whomever Chicago selects with No. 15 as the foundation of the franchise moving forward under Graham.

2025-26 record: 45-37 (lost in first round)

New coach: Sean Sweeney (announced May 29)

Previous coach: Jamahl Mosley (fired May 4)

Lead executive: Jeff Weltman (hired May 2017)

Positives of the job: Talent. And for that reason, the Magic job was as attractive as any this summer. Between Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner,Desmond Bane,Jalen Suggs,Anthony Blackand the rest of Orlando's roster, the belief is some tweaks to the offense and improved consistency can help this team fulfill this year's promise next season.

Negatives of the job: This roster is expensive, with the Magic headed for the second apron as currently constructed. That's not a path play-in teams tend to take, and this franchise hasn't expressed much willingness to enter that spending territory -- which could mean more changes are coming.

What does the new coach bring?Sweeney, long considered one of the best assistant coaches in the league, has been in the running for a series of jobs before landing his first head coaching opportunity. Sweeney has a long track record of working with star players (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Blake Griffin, Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama) and has been an integral part of several deep playoff runs -- most recently with San Antonio this season. He will be tasked with coaxing more from a roster that has struggled to take meaningful steps -- particularly offensively -- the past couple of seasons.

2025-26 record:26-56 (missed postseason)

New coach: Jamahl Mosley

Previous coach:Willie Green (Fired Nov. 15; James Borrego named interim coach)

Lead executive:Joe Dumars (hired April 2025)

Positives of the job:There is talent here.Zion Williamsonis coming off perhaps his best, and certainly most available, season.Trey Murphy IIIandHerb Jonesare quality two-way wings.

Negatives of the job:There are questions about the lack of overall funding into the franchise by ownership, with discussions ongoing over much-needed investment in the team's arena. The decision to trade a 2026 lottery pick, plus a first-round pick last season, forDerik Queenlooked worse as he fell out of the starting lineup down the stretch. There's still a ton of money tied up for next season inJordan Pooleand for the next two seasons inDejounte Murray, both of whom are questionable fits. Getting this team back into a playoff spot in the West won't be easy.

What does the new coach bring?Discipline, accountability and a track record of getting teams to defend -- all things that will help establish a new culture in New Orleans.

Mosley methodically built Orlando into a team that has made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, helping to shepherd the young talent and consistently proving to be able to motivate players. The Pelicans have never made the postseason three consecutive times and haven't made it in back-to-back seasons in almost 20 years. If Mosley can just repeat what he did in Orlando, the Pelicans will be thrilled with the hire.

2025-26 record:32-50 (missed postseason)

New coach:Taylor Jenkins

Previous coach:Doc Rivers (exited April 12)

Lead executive:Jon Horst (hired June 2017)

Positives of the job:In the eventGiannis Antetokounmpois still on the Bucks' roster next season, it won't hurt having one of the best players on the planet to build around. And if he's not on the roster, that means he has been moved in a trade that could completely reshape both Milwaukee's roster and asset sheet, giving Jenkins some intriguing options. Some lottery luck next month would certainly help.

Negatives of the job:The Bucks' roadmap is full of challenges. With the $20 million from waiving and stretchingDamian Lillard's contract on the books for the next four seasons, plus a lack of draft capital because of the trade to acquire him, adding impact players to the roster will be difficult. If Antetokounmpo isn't traded, it's unlikely the Bucks fare any better next season amid the continuing saga.

What does the new coach bring?Jenkins won 250 games in five-plus seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, getting fired with a handful of games remaining last season as the team went from rising power in the West to hitting a franchise reset in the wake of Ja Morant's on-and-off court issues. Jenkins has a proven track record of developing players, which will be critical as Milwaukee either rebuilds after an Antetokounmpo trade or re-tools with him still on the roster. Jenkins has familiarity with both Antetokounmpo and Horst after his one season with the Bucks on Mike Budenholzer's staff in 2018-19.

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