Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images; Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports, Image - Scanpix
The 2024-25 NBA season began with three new head coaches: JJ Redick with the Lakers, Jordi Fernandez with the Nets, and Charles Lee with the Hornets.
However, as the season progressed, the Kings decided to part ways with Mike Brown, while the Grizzlies and Nuggets surprised many by firing their winningest coaches in franchise history, Taylor Jenkins and Michael Malone, just before the playoffs.
With them joining a pool of experienced free agent coaches and highly regarded assistant coaches, there is no shortage of intriguing options for teams looking to make a change this summer.
Here are the 12 best available NBA coaches in 2025.
12 best free agent NBA coaches
1. Michael Malone
Michael Malone
Michael Malone
Credit AP/Scanpix
Michael Malone was unexpectedly fired by the Denver Nuggets and is now poised to become one of the best free agent coaches in the NBA.
Given that Malone was fired with only three regular-season games remaining, many fans were puzzled by the decision and searched for the reasons why the Nuggets fired him.
The 53-year-old is the winningest coach in the Nuggets' history after being hired in 2015. Malone also led Denver to the 2023 NBA championship and finished his head coaching job with a 471-327 record over 10 seasons.
Previously, Malone was fired by the Sacramento Kings. At the time, many fans and columnists believed the Kings made the wrong decision.
Given his championship experience, Malone could be a perfect candidate for teams seeking to build a winning culture and navigate the challenges of the playoffs.
Michael Malone's resume as an NBA head coach:
Reg. season record Playoff record Championships COTY awards
510-394 (.564) 44-36 (.550) 1 0
2. Taylor Jenkins
Taylor Jenkins
Taylor Jenkins
Credit AP - Scanpix
Taylor Jenkins' dismissal just 11 games before the end of the regular season came as a shock to many, considering his tenure and success with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jenkins was the fifth-longest-tenured coach in the NBA at the time, having spent six seasons in Memphis – trailing only Gregg Popovich (Spurs), Erik Spoelstra (Heat), Steve Kerr (Warriors), and Malone (Nuggets), who have all won NBA championships.
During his time with the Grizzlies, he became the franchise's all-time winningest coach, surpassing Lionel Hollins. With a career record of 250-214, Jenkins also coached the most games in franchise history, which dates back to its launch in 1995.
While postseason success remained elusive – Memphis advanced past the first round just once in three playoff appearances – Jenkins established himself as a steady leader, helping develop a young core and guiding the team to competitive seasons.
At just 39 years old, Jenkins' unique blend of youth and experience makes him a strong candidate for teams seeking a proven coach who can help them take a leap.
Taylor Jenkins' resume as an NBA head coach:
Reg. season record Playoff record Championships COTY awards
250-214 (.539) 9-14 (.391) 0 0
3. Mike Brown
Mike Brown
Mike Brown
Credit Getty Images via AFP
Mike Brown's firing this season also came as a surprise, especially considering his resume as a two-time NBA Coach of the Year and the architect behind the Sacramento Kings' long-awaited return to the playoffs just two years ago.
Drawing on a wealth of experience in both head coaching and assistant roles for some of the NBA's most successful teams, Brown notably led a young LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to an improbable NBA Finals run in 2007.
Beyond his head coaching success, Brown thrived as an assistant, spending years alongside Steve Kerr during the Golden State Warriors' dynasty, helping shape their championship-winning culture.
Brown's track record of guiding underdog teams to success could make him a strong option for multiple franchises looking for proven leadership.
Mike Brown's resume as an NBA head coach:
Reg. season record Playoff record Championships COTY awards
454-304 (.599) 50-40 (.556) 0 2
4. James Borrego
James Borrego
James Borrego
Credit AP Photo/Frank Franklin II - Scanpix
James Borrego, currently the associate head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, is a name that will be on the radar of several NBA teams this off-season.
Having served as a longtime assistant under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio and played a role in two NBA championship runs with the Spurs, Borrego has the pedigree and experience of a strong head coaching candidate.
He already had a stint as a head coach with the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022. Though he never led them to the playoffs, he made steady progress, culminating in a 43-39 record in the 2021-22 season—Charlotte's first winning season in years.
Borrego's reputation remains strong, as he was a finalist for multiple head coaching jobs last summer, including openings with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Detroit Pistons.
With his experience in player development and offensive schemes, he has the tools to help turn around a young, up-and-coming team in need of structure and direction.
James Borrego's resume as an NBA head coach:
Reg. season record Playoff record Championships COTY awards
148-183 (.447) - 0 0
5. Frank Vogel
Frank Vogel
Frank Vogel
Credit AP – Scanpix
Frank Vogel stands out on this list as the only NBA head coach available with a championship to his name, having led the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2020 title during the pandemic-shortened season.
Currently serving as a coaching consultant for the Dallas Mavericks, Vogel appears poised for another opportunity to take the helm of an NBA team.
While questions have been raised about his leadership and locker room control (particularly during his recent stints with the Lakers and Phoenix Suns, where he was dismissed after just one season), his track record remains impressive.
Vogel's extensive playoff experience and resume, which includes coaching some of the league's biggest stars, make him a strong candidate for a head coaching role.
As teams search for a proven leader with a championship pedigree, he will be one of the best available NBA coaches this off-season.
Frank Vogel's resume as an NBA head coach:
Reg. season record Playoff record Championships COTY awards
480-422 (.532) 49-43 (.533) 1 0
6. Sam Cassell
Sam Cassell
Sam Cassell
Credit Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Sam Cassell has been part of an NBA team's coaching staff for over a decade, earning widespread recognition as one of the top NBA assistant coaches.
In John Schuhmann's annual GM survey, Cassell was named one of the league's top assistant coaches, receiving 7% of the vote in 2023. A year later, he topped the list with 15%, further solidifying his reputation as a rising coaching star.
Cassell built his resume as a key assistant under Doc Rivers, first with the Los Angeles Clippers and later with the Philadelphia 76ers. Currently, he serves as the lead assistant for the Boston Celtics under head coach Joe Mazzulla.
His name has already been in the head coaching conversation, as he was among the finalists for a couple of head coaching jobs during the last off-season, but he remained an assistant in Boston.
Cassell's extensive experience – both as a former championship-winning point guard and as a coach on multiple playoff contenders – makes his transition to a head coaching role seem inevitable. It's only a matter of time before an NBA team entrusts him to lead from the sidelines.
Sam Cassel hasn't been an NBA head coach yet.
7. Royal Ivey
Royal Ivey
Royal Ivey
Credit FIBA
Royal Ivey has been a respected assistant coach in the NBA for years and is currently part of Ime Udoka's staff with the Houston Rockets.
While he has long been recognized for his work at the NBA level, his recent success on the international stage has further elevated his profile.
As the head coach of the South Sudanese national team, Ivey earned widespread praise for leading the program to historic milestones—their first-ever FIBA World Cup appearance and first Olympic berth.
In 2023, he guided South Sudan to its first-ever FIBA World Cup appearance, where they finished as the top African nation in the tournament. That achievement secured the team's first Olympic berth in the 2024 Paris Games, an unprecedented feat for the young basketball nation.
With a strong coaching background, international success, and a growing reputation for player development, Ivey has emerged as an intriguing candidate for NBA teams in search of fresh leadership.
Royal Ivey hasn't been an NBA head coach yet.
8. Micah Nori
Micah Nori
Micah Nori
Credit AP - Scanpix
Micah Nori has gained a unique level of recognition in Minnesota, thanks in part to his insightful in-game interviews breaking down the Timberwolves' play.
However, his growing reputation extends far beyond that – he's now widely regarded as one of the league's top assistant coaches.
In the 2024 NBA general managers survey, Nori tied with Sam Cassell as the best assistant coach in the league—further solidifying his case as a rising candidate for a head coaching job.
Currently the lead assistant for the Timberwolves, he has earned high praise for both his strategic mind and his infectious energy on the sidelines during his over 15 years in various NBA coaching roles.
With his extensive experience, strong player relationships, and growing recognition, Nori appears to be on the verge of making the leap to an NBA head coaching role.
Micah Nori hasn't been an NBA head coach yet.
9. Chris Quinn
Chris Quinn and Erik Spoelstra
Chris Quinn and Erik Spoelstra
Credit Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Chris Quinn has been a trusted assistant coach with the Miami Heat for over a decade—and many believe it's time for him to take the next step toward a head coaching role in the NBA.
Erik Spoelstra's right-hand man, Quinn has earned a reputation as an emotionally stable leader who inspires confidence in his players.
One league insider even referred to Quinn as Spoelstra's "mini-me",a testament to his close relationship with the Heat's head coach and his deep understanding of the team's culture.
Widely regarded as one of the top head coaching prospects in the NBA, Quinn has already interviewed for several head coaching positions in the past.
He should undoubtedly be a sought-after name during the offseason, and even if he doesn't land a job elsewhere, he seems like a natural successor to Spoelstra in Miami when the time comes.
Chris Quinn hasn't been an NBA head coach yet.
10. Steve Nash
Steve Nash and Kevin Durant
Steve Nash and Kevin Durant
Credit AFP – Scanpix
Steve Nash's coaching career may have looked very different if not for a critical moment in Game 7 of the 2021 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, when Kevin Durant's foot was on the three-point line – an inch that could have made all the difference in the Brooklyn Nets' season.
Nash undoubtedly possesses a sharp basketball mind, and like Jason Kidd, he might fare better with a second opportunity to lead, given the experience he's gained since his first head coaching stint.
Additionally, Nash will be a current co-host of the Mind the Game podcast alongside LeBron James, which has sparked some speculation.
Some believe it was this podcast connection that helped JJ Redick land a head coaching job with the Los Angeles Lakers, despite having no prior coaching experience.
Therefore, there's potential for Nash to follow in Redick's footsteps, making him a strong candidate to return to the NBA coaching ranks as a future head coach.
Steve Nash's resume as an NBA head coach:
Reg. season record Playoff record Championships COTY awards
94-67 (.583) 7-9 (.438) 0 0
11. Mike Budenholzer
Mike Budenholzer
Mike Budenholzer
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
The Phoenix Suns fired Mike Budenholzer after a disappointing season, but this doesn't mean that the former Milwaukee Bucks coach won't receive interest from other teams.
Budenholzer guided the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021 and has two NBA Coach of the Year honors on his resume.
After working for 17 years as an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs, Budenholzer started his head coaching career in 2013 when he took over the Atlanta Hawks.
Since then, Budenholzer's teams have never missed the playoffs except for this season with the Suns. So, his record is pretty solid.
However, his stint with the Suns was pretty turbulent. Jusuf Nurkic claimed he didn't have a relationship with Budenholzer, Devin Booker was shocked by his coach's request, while Kevin Durant had to make excuses that he wasn't telling Budenholzer what to do.
Mike Budenholzer's resume as an NBA head coach:
Reg. season record Playoff record Championships COTY awards
520-363 (.589) 56-48 (.538) 1 2
12. Tom Thibodeau
Credit AP - Scanpix
In an unexpected turn of events, the New York Knicks have decided to part ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau, despite the team just completing its most successful season in the last 25 years by reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.
Thibodeau’s trademark intensity and structured coaching style are expected to draw interest from several NBA teams seeking an immediate impact and a disciplined approach.
Before taking over the Knicks ahead of the 2020–21 season, Thibodeau found success with both the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He led a Derrick Rose-led Bulls team to back-to-back No. 1 seeds in the Eastern Conference and a Conference Finals appearance in 2011 during his first two seasons (2010–2015).
Later, he guided the Timberwolves to their first playoff appearance in 14 years during the 2017–18 season.
Over his career, Thibodeau has earned NBA Coach of the Year honors twice—first in 2011 with Chicago and again in 2021 with New York.
Tom Thibodeau's resume as an NBA head coach:
Reg. season record Playoff record Championships COTY awards
578-420 (.579) 48-55 (.466) 0 2
Check out the 12 best NBA free agents in 2025.
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