The NBA’s coaching carousel has seen some early movement, with the Milwaukee Bucks becoming the first team to fill a vacancy and a handful of franchises still hunting for long-term fits, according to ESPN. Taylor Jenkins was hired to replace Doc Rivers, who exited after the regular season.
Orlando fired Jamahl Mosley on Monday after a season that produced a 45-37 record and a first-round exit following a 3-1 lead against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, according to ESPN. Expectations rose after the Magic acquired Desmond Bane, and the team’s slide into the play-in as the No. 8 seed prompted the change.
The Magic present clear appeal and clear questions, according to ESPN. The roster includes Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black and Bane, offering talent that should attract candidates. At the same time, the team is headed for the second apron as currently constructed and ownership has not signaled willingness to expand payroll into that spending territory.
Chicago is also open, with Billy Donovan stepping down April 21 and the franchise lacking a lead executive after Arturas Karnisovas was fired April 6, according to ESPN. The Bulls finished 31-51 and missed the postseason. The job offers a major market, a large fan base and an ownership group described as patient, and the organization will hire a head of basketball operations before a head coach and owns two top-15 picks in the 2026 draft.
At the same time, the Bulls’ roster has limited proven talent, according to ESPN. Josh Giddey was described as a below-average starting point guard while Matas Buzelis projects as an intriguing long-term piece. Rebuilding will likely take time and could be complicated by lottery reform.
New Orleans has replaced Willie Green, who was fired Nov. 15, by hiring Jamahl Mosley and has Joe Dumars as lead executive after his April 2025 hiring, according to ESPN. The Pelicans have talent in Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones but face questions about franchise funding, arena investment discussions and concerns over prior trades and committed salary, including Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray.
