Top 3 Coaches On The Hot Seat To Start Season

It's only a matter of time. The old adage 'coaches are hired to be fired' never fails us come NBA season, and this year should be no different. Expectations are high everywhere around the league, but for some head coaches, slow starts will cost them their jobs. 

A look at the odds-on favorite Top 3 Coaches to Be Fired when the season gets underway, according to Betonline. 

Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls, +400

It's been three years now that the Bulls have assembled a group with tons of talent, but still don't have anything to show for it come playoff time. Granted, Lonzo Ball's mysterious knee injury that has kept him out for a season and a half, and will do so again all of this coming year, doesn't help. But with highly-paid stars like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, more is expected in the Windy City. 

Another tough start for the Bulls, and Donovan is the betting favorite to be the first to be canned. 

Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets, +500

According to the odds, Clifford could be fired by the Hornets before long, which would be the second time they've done that in five years. The Bugs squashed Clifford's first run in Charlotte in 2018. 

He, too, was the victim of a crucial Ball injury in 2022-23, with LaMelo Ball missing all but 36 games last year with a fractured ankle. 

But they now have Miles Bridges back, and Ball is healthy to start the year, so some movement up the standings is expected, or Clifford could be shown the door once again.

Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves, +600

Yet another injury-riddled season a head coach had to deal with, as 3-time All-Star Karl Anthony-Towns was only healthy for 29 games last year, and the twin-tower approach of KAT and Rudy Gobert never really got a chance to get into any kind of rhythm. 

But with Anthony Edwards reaching superstardom, and the two bigs ready to go this season, the T-Wolves need to get off to a good start, or Finch could be on the outs, at least according to the oddsmakers. 

If we had a bet here though, we'd go with the 4th coach on the hot seat, Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, at +700 odds. After a disastrous finish to last season, if the Luka Doncic/Kyrie Irving duo doesn't get off to a rollicking start, Kidd could be the scapegoat. 

Photo: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports