There's nothing quite like the NBA's coaching carousel.
The first of the NBA's coaching changes came on the final day of the regular season, with the Rockets and Pistons each moving on from their head coaches, albeit in very different manners. From there, more changes came as teams were eliminated from the postseason, with the Raptors, Bucks, Suns and 76ers now in search of new voices.
In the time since the offseason carousel began, the Rockets have filled their coaching void with Ime Udoka, but five openings remain. And there's still time for more openings to emerge.
As teams continue their searches, a number of names will be included — up-and-coming assistants, coaches in other leagues and longtime NBA head coaches with a bevy of experience.
With the offseason in full swing for 26 teams, The Sporting News ranks the top 11 coaches with previous head coaching experience in the NBA, four of whom have won an NBA title.
MORE: Rockets tab Ime Udoka as next head coach
Ranking available former NBA head coaches
1. Frank Vogel
Regular season record: 431-389 (.526)
Playoff record: 49-39 (.557)
If nothing else, Vogel is a winner. During his time in Indiana, he led the Pacers to deep postseason runs before taking the reins in Los Angeles, where he won a title in his first year.
Defensive-minded and practical, Vogel is a coach that can be called upon to lead a group of veterans ready to win now.
2. Nick Nurse
Regular season record: 227-163 (.582)
Playoff record: 25-16 (.610)
Nurse's unconventional ways make him unlike any other coach in the league, but he no longer had the personnel to get creative in Toronto. As a result, the team began to flounder and decided to move on.
His firing shouldn't be an indictment on his coaching profile, which allowed him to lead Toronto to a championship. Nurse is a great fit for a team that has the pieces to compete for a title within the next three years.
MORE: Why the Raptors fired Nick Nurse as head coach
3. Monty Williams
Regular season record: 367-336 (.522)
Playoff record: 29-27 (.518)
Just two years ago, Williams had the Suns two wins away from the first NBA title in franchise history. Two years later, he was let go after the second straight year in which the team was eliminated from the playoffs in blowout fashion.
Williams helped rebuild the culture in Phoenix and fostered a family environment within the team. He is an ideal candidate for a team looking to win now or build toward being a perennial contender.
MORE: Why Suns decided to fire Monty Williams
4. Mike Budenholzer
Regular season record: 484-317 (.604)
Playoff record: 56-48 (.538)
Budenholzer is just two years removed from leading the Bucks to a title, and just this year, he led the team to the NBA's best record.
He has been subject to a number of criticisms, but Budenholzer shouldn't be out of work for long. Should he assemble the right kind of staff, Budenholzer could be in a spot to lead another franchise to the promised land.
MORE: Why Bucks fired head coach Mike Budenholzer
5. Doc Rivers
Regular season record: 1,097-763 (.590)
Playoff record: 111-104 (.516)
Rivers couldn't get over the hump in Philadelphia, losing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in three consecutive seasons. That stretch shouldn't take away from what has been a long, successful career.
The 2008 NBA champion knows how to create winning cultures, as he has won 50 games or more in 10 regular seasons with the Celtics, Clippers and Sixers.
MORE: Why 76ers fired Doc Rivers after playoff loss vs. Celtics
6. Kenny Atkinson
Regular season record: 118-190 (.383)
Playoff record: 1-4 (.200)
There are a number of NBA developmental success stories that can be attributed to the work of Atkinson. Last year, he agreed to take the Hornets' head coaching job before having a change of heart.
Under Atkinson's tutelage, a number of guards have made major leaps. Additionally, Brook Lopez made the first step toward becoming a 3-point shooter under Atkinson.
7. Mike D'Antoni
Regular season record: 672-527 (.560)
Playoff record: 54-56 (.491)
D'Antoni doesn't land at seventh because of his resume, but because it has now been three years since he's been a head coach. Now serving as a coaching consultant for the Pelicans, D'Antoni is still revered as one of the NBA's groundbreaking coaches.
Perhaps he's waiting for the right spot with the perfect personnel to fit his system.
8. Dave Joerger
Regular season record: 245-247 (.498)
Playoff record: 9-13 (.409)
In 2013, Joerger inherited the "Grit-N-Grind" Grizzlies after six seasons as an assistant in Memphis, where he helped the Grizzlies maintain their identity. Aside from a few rough years leading the Kings, Joerger's history makes him a prime candidate for an opening.
He's been an assistant in Philadelphia for three years and could elect to move on to a team in search of a shake-up.
9. Terry Stotts
Regular season record: 517-486 (.515)
Playoff record: 23-44 (.343)
Stotts has been linked to a few coaching vacancies since parting ways with the Trail Blazers in 2021. He is the type of coaching candidate that could help a veteran-laden team.
10. Mark Jackson
Regular season record: 121-109 (.526)
Playoff record: 9-10 (.474)
It's been nine seasons since Jackson last coached an NBA game, but he continues to get interviews for openings. Jackson has remained close to the game as an analyst, and his feel as a former player adds to his ability to be a tactician.
A long absence could have provided Jackson with the knowledge that allows him to take the next step as a coach.
11. James Borrego
Regular season record: 148-183 (.447)
Playoff record: 0-0
Borrego lands at No. 11, but it's not at all meant to be a knock on him. The Hornets improved in each of their last two years with him at the helm. Unfortunately, both seasons ended with embarrassment in the Play-In Tournament.
He took a step back this past season, but Borrego could be a fresh voice for a young team in need of direction.
