After starting 0-6, the Cleveland Cavaliers fired head coach Tyronn Lue on Sunday. Numerous figures around the league voiced their support for Lue, including former Cavs star LeBron James. With King James now in Los Angeles, Lue’s close relationship with LeBron is no longer a factor — which likely made Cleveland’s decision to move on a bit easier.
While Lue ponders his next move, others around the league are probably feeling shaky about their own job security. Really, how secure could Billy Donovan, Tom Thibodeau, Scott Brooks, or Fred Hoiberg be feeling right now?
Unsurprisingly, those four coaches are the odds-on favorites to be fired next, per new odds from BetDSI Sportsbook.
Donovan “Leads” The Way
Donovan, the former Florida Gators coach, is likeliest to be fired next, with +150 odds. The Thunder are 1-4 after narrowly edging the lowly Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
With a talented roster and high-seed expectations, the Thunder have underperformed. Many pundits have suggested Sam Presti could soon show Donovan the door.
Then Comes Thibs
Given the Jimmy Butler drama and how Minnesota underperformed last season, it’s no shock that Tom Thibodeau, the former Bulls coach, lands second on the list at +250. The loaded T-Wolves are a mere 2-4 early in the season.
Whether Butler stays for the rest of this season or heads elsewhere via trade, it seems inevitable that Thibs’ run with Minnesota won’t last much longer.
Related: NBA Betting Guide
Brooks and Hoiberg (+500) are tied for third, then there’s a large chasm until Dave Joerger and Kenny Atkinson clock in tied for fifth (+1500).
The lowest odds of being fired? Those belong to Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich at +25000. It would take practically an act of God for one of those two coaches to be fired.
Full Odds
Next NBA head coach fired, via BetDSI:
Billy Donovan +150
Tom Thibodeau +250
Scott Brooks +500
Fred Hoiberg +500
Dave Joerger +1500
Kenny Atkinson +1500
Igor Kokoskov +2000
JB Bickerstaff +2000
Alvin Gentry +3000
Terry Stotts +3000
Larry Drew +3000
Michael Malone +4000
David Fizdale +4000
James Borrego +4000
Lloyd Pierce +4000
Steve Clifford +4000
Luke Walton +5000
Brett Brown +5000
Quin Snyder +5000
Doc Rivers +5000
Nate McMillan +5000
Mike D’Antoni +5000
Dwane Casey +7500
Nick Nurse +7500
Mike Budenholzer +7500
Rick Carlisle +7500
Brad Stevens +7500
Erik Spoelstra +10000
Steve Kerr +25000
Gregg Popovich +25000
