NBA Head Coaches Tiers: The Best, Overachievers, Hot Seats

The role of an NBA head coach in the modern era involves more than drawing plays and managing rotations—it's about leadership, adaptability, and maximizing the potential of their roster. Some coaches thrive in the spotlight, others outperform expectations with limited resources, and some find themselves on the proverbial hot seat right now.

We have ranked all 30 NBA head coaches into five tiers: The Best Coach, Overachievers, Excellent Performers, Not Good Enough, And Hot Seat. While it is never easy to name the single best head coach in the NBA or even divide the rest into tiers, we have the updated list for the 2024-25 campaign so far.

The Best Coach 

Kenny Atkinson

Kenny Atkinson has revitalized the Cavaliers with his innovative offensive schemes and player development expertise. Known for fostering young talent, Atkinson's impact is evident in Cleveland’s efficient ball movement and defensive tenacity. His emphasis on fundamentals and analytics-driven adjustments places him among the elite right now, because nobody expected the Donovan Mitchell-led Cavaliers to hold the best record in the NBA with only three losses despite the talent of the group.

Overachievers 

Jamahl Mosley, Ime Udoka, Quin Snyder

Jamahl Mosley has guided the Orlando Magic to a surprising 16-8 record and third in the East despite Poalo Banchero being out for the majority of the season so far. His emphasis on defensive tenacity and fluid offensive schemes has unlocked Franz Wagner’s potential, propelling Orlando into playoff contention. Despite a young roster and the key injury to Banchero, Mosley’s disciplined approach has the team ranked first in defense (103.0), showcasing his overachiever status.

Ime Udoka’s arrival in Houston has brought structure and purpose, but his elite coaching this year has taken the Rockets to 15-8 and second in the West. His defense-first mentality has transformed Houston into a gritty competitor, with Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson particularly thriving in his system. Udoka’s ability to foster a winning culture after years of rebuilding has proven his credentials, and he is maximizing the potential of his young players so far.

Quin Snyder has somehow got the Hawks competing well on the court as they sit in sixth place in the East. His effective utilization of Trae Young’s playmaking and rejuvenated energy led by Jalen Johnson and rookie Zaccharie Risacher has stabilized Atlanta. Snyder’s midseason adjustments have turned a once-inconsistent team into a team that could be making the playoffs without a play-in seed right now.

Excellent Performers

Mark Diagneault, Joe Mazzulla, Jason Kidd, Taylor Jenkins, Tom Thibodeau, Steve Kerr, Tyronn Lue

At 17-5, the Thunder are first in the West under Mark Daigneault’s guidance. His innovative offense, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, thrives on ball movement and efficient scoring. Daigneault’s rotations maximize both stars and role players, establishing OKC as a Western powerhouse and a true title contender as we all expected them to be. That still doesn’t take away from how good Daigenault has been for the team.

Joe Mazzulla has steered the Boston Celtics to an 18-4 record and second place in the East. His balanced approach has Boston excelling on both ends, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the charge. Mazzulla’s calm leadership keeps the Celtics on track amid high expectations. We expected Mazulla to be in charge of one of the best teams in the NBA and he has answered the call.

Jason Kidd’s Mavericks sit at 15-8, largely thanks to his Luka Doncic-centric schemes. While defensive consistency remains a concern at times, Kidd’s offensive ingenuity has Dallas excelling in clutch situations, reinforcing his reputation as a strong performer. Even if he has two of the best players in the NBA, Kidd has done his job admirably well.

Despite early-season challenges, Taylor Jenkins has kept the Memphis Grizzlies afloat at 15-8 in the competitive Western Conference. Known for his player-focused system, Jenkins maximizes contributions from role players while maintaining a strong defensive identity. With injuries impacting the roster enough, his leadership remains a steadying force.

Thibodeau’s New York Knicks, currently 14-8 and fourth in the East, reflect his defensive grit. While their process to improve their chemistry is currently hampering their ceiling for now, Thibodeau’s ability to extract maximum effort from every player including high-profile names such as Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby means he is one of the best coaches in the league.

At 13-8, Kerr’s Golden State Warriors continue to rely on their fluid offense and championship pedigree. While Stephen Curry remains the engine, Kerr’s rotation management and trust in players such as Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, and Moses Moody sustain the team’s playoff push despite the loss of Klay Thompson this summer.

The Clippers’ 14-10 record reflects Lue’s skill in managing star-studded but inconsistent rosters. Kawhi Leonard has yet to play this season, leaving much of the load on James Harden and Norman Powell but that hasn’t made the Clippers any less competitive. Lue’s in-game adjustments and player relationships remain among the league’s best, making him a vital part of the Clippers' aspirations.

Not Good Enough But Have Enough Credit

Michael Malone, Doc Rivers, Erik Spoelstra, Rick Carlisle, Chris Finch, J.J. Redick, Gregg Popovich, J.B. Bickerstaff, Mike Budenholzer

Michael Malone's Denver Nuggets, sitting at 11-9, remain a Western Conference contender with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic at the helm. However, it is clear the Nuggets are not at their best right now and all eyes should be on the front office rather than on the coach. Still, Malone has to accept responsibility for not doing better with the best player in the world on his roster at the moment.

The Milwaukee Bucks had a horrific start to the season but Giannis Antetokounmpo has been in MVP form, guiding the team back to a decent record at 11-10. Once the Bucks get clicking, they should be back in title contention but Doc Rivers is seriously at risk of falling into the hot seat if the team doesn’t turn it around very quickly.

Erik Spoelstra has earned his credit as one of the league's top tacticians, but Miami's current 10-10 record reflects struggles with injuries and roster depth. While his strategic brilliance is unquestioned, the Heat’s inconsistency this season raises mild concerns about their postseason outlook and also the future of the team considering Jimmy Butler’s contract.

Rick Carlisle has not managed to steer the Indiana Pacers on the right track, holding a poor 9-14 record. Their defensive deficiencies and lack of consistent results against top teams suggest Carlisle’s methods might need an update for Indiana to take the next step as they did last season by making the Eastern Conference Finals. Still, Carlisle isn’t on the hot seat because we all know he is an elite coach.

Chris Finch’s Timberwolves have fallen from the heights of last season, holding an 11-10 record in the West. While Finch deserves credit for a more cohesive defensive scheme centered on Rudy Gobert, questions linger about his ability to unlock the full potential of Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle in high-pressure situations. However, it isn’t Finch’s fault that they decided to trade Karl-Anthony Towns.

In his debut season, J.J. Redick has shown promise but faces growing pains with the Lakers at 12-10. Despite the Lakers’ inconsistencies, Redick’s modern offensive concepts provide a hopeful foundation for the future and he has found a way to get Anthony Davis back to an MVP level. Redick’s job should be safe this year assuming the Lakers hold onto a playoff spot at the end of the year.

With the Spurs rebuilding and sitting at 11-11, Gregg Popovich’s legendary resume is his shield. The team’s struggles this season underscore the challenges of transitioning from dominance to development, but Popovich’s mentorship of Victor Wembanyama offers a potential silver lining. The Spurs have been a little better than we thought, but the goal will be to climb above .500 with Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes providing veteran leadership.

The Pistons’ 9-15 record highlights a team underperforming on a grand scale but showing improvement from last year. J.B. Bickerstaff knew what he was getting into when he decided to lead the Pistons, but he has done better than we would have thought although it still isn’t that great. Bickerstaff’s job will likely be safe as long as the Pistons do not fall to the bottom of the Eastern Conference again.

Budenholzer’s Suns stand at 12-9, and he has to find a way to do more considering his stacked roster. He has been unlucky with injuries to Kevin Durant which has derailed their season just a little bit, but there is still enough to have a better record. Unless Budenholzer can get the Suns back on track in terms of a strong seeding, he could be at risk of falling into the hot seat tier although he has some leverage since he is a new coach.

Hot Seats

Willie Green, Chauncey Billups, Will Hardy, Mike Brown, Darko Rajakovic, Jordi Fernandez, Billy Donovan, Charles Lee, Brian Keefe

Willie Green is under pressure with the New Orleans Pelicans at 5-18. Despite a roster featuring Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, injuries and inconsistent play have stalled progress. Green’s inability to establish a defensive identity has raised doubts about his ability to maximize this team’s potential and the record is the main component of his hot seat status.

The Blazers’ poor 8-14 record has put Chauncey Billups in a precarious position. His struggles to find an effective system post-Damian Lillard and the lack of visible progress from young players have amplified calls for a change in leadership. However, Billups still has time to right the wrongs and get out of the hot seat.

Will Hardy’s Jazz, sitting at a poor 4-17 which is last in the West, appear directionless in a season where development was expected. Defensive lapses and inconsistent rotations have hindered growth, leaving Hardy’s long-term future in question despite last year’s promising start. Hardy is on the hot seat considering the poor record but we still find it hard to blame him for the roster’s lack of true talent across the board.

Mike Brown’s Kings (10-13) have regressed on both ends of the floor despite having high expectations. Despite boasting a talented core led by De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and DeMar DeRozan, the Kings’ underwhelming record has made Brown a candidate for scrutiny if results don’t improve.

Darko Rajakovic’s second season with the Raptors (7-16) has been rocky, with issues in offensive execution and team chemistry. While growing pains are expected, Toronto’s inability to compete consistently leaves Rajakovic vulnerable in a demanding market. It is certainly not all Darko’s fault for this situation but the coach has to be held accountable.

As a former assistant stepping into a larger role, Jordi Fernandez has not inspired significant improvement for the 10-13 Nets. His tenure remains tied to Mike Brown’s success, but his limited impact may prompt Brooklyn to consider broader changes if the team starts losing games and falls down in the Eastern Conference rankings.

The Bulls’ 10-13 record makes Billy Donovan’s seat slightly hot right now. A roster that has Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White has underperformed, and the lack of offensive creativity paired with poor late-game execution signals a leadership void that could end Donovan’s tenure if the team starts dropping games regularly.

The Hornets’ 6-16 record reflects a lack of progress in Charles Lee’s first season with the franchise. While expectations were low for this young roster, the absence of discernible development or competitive fight has put Lee’s future in question. Lee has found a way to make LaMelo Ball reach superstar status so at least there is some light in the tunnel.

With the Washington Wizards sitting at 2-18, Brian Keefe’s struggles as a second-year coach with the team are evident. Rotational issues and defensive inefficiency have kept Washington from making any strides, leaving Keefe as a likely scapegoat for their dismal performance.