Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe’s time with the franchise may be nearing an end. The 50-year-old took over midway through the 2023-24 season and hasn’t made a case to be part of a potential turnaround next season alongside recently arrived veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis.
In his two and a half seasons, he has compiled a dreadful record of 43–158. Some of this is not his fault, and the front office has pushed the team into the tank at the end of all those seasons. However, the Wizards have not shown clear signs of the development needed to keep him in the position.
Maybe that’s why The Athletic NBA insider Zach Harper suggested on Friday that he’s one of the most likely players to be fired in the next few weeks. “With Anthony Davis and Trae Young leaving at the deadline, Washington needs a coach who will instill confidence that wins are coming,” Harper wrote.
If the inevitable falls on Keefe any time soon, let’s take a look at five possible options to become the next head coach of the Washington Wizards.
taylor jenkins

Taylor Jenkins helped turn the Memphis Grizzlies into a consistent playoff contender in the Western Conference. However, his inability to manage Ja Morant and his on- and off-court issues played a role in his surprise exit at the end of last season.
The 41-year-old certainly deserves another chance as a head coach in the NBA and has shown he can develop talent. This is an essential characteristic for the next coach of the team as they still have a mostly young squad.
Sam Cassell

Sam Cassel had a really good 15-year career as a player, winning three NBA championships. But since 2009, he has built a strong reputation as a top assist during several stops, including with the Los Angeles Clippers and currently the Boston Celtics.
For many years, he has been viewed as someone who is worthy of the head coaching job, and it is only a matter of time before a franchise finally gives him a chance. If Keefe is fired he will definitely be considered.
Mika Nori

Another top assistant who has been linked to multiple head coaching jobs over the past few years is Minnesota Timberwolves assistant, Micah Nouri. He’s been learning on an NBA bench for 17 seasons and with five different teams. Of the various assistants in the game, there is none more prepared and respected than Nori.
chris quinn

Miami Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn is a man who is sure to get a top job soon. He has been with the organization for 12 years and is Erik Spoelstra’s top assistant. The Heat and their culture is one of the most respected in the game due to their potential. Quinn is one of the franchise’s greatest acolytes and can bring to Washington what has worked for them over the past decade.
tom thibodeau

Yes, former New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has never reached the NBA Finals during his 13 seasons as a head coach. Apparently he has a reputation as a guy who can’t win everything. However, he has proven during his tenures in New York and Chicago that he can lift a team out of years of mediocrity and turn them into consistent winners.
For a franchise that hasn’t had a winning season in nearly a decade, at the very least, Thibodeau could help get them back on track as a consistent playoff contender in the East.
monty williams

Monty Williams was viewed as one of the great young coaches in the game after winning Coach of the Year honors with the Phoenix Suns a few seasons ago. However, since being fired from Phoenix two years ago and leading a historically bad Detroit Pistons team, his stock has declined significantly.
Yet, he is still only 54, has many fans in the NBA, and has proven he can build a program from the bottom up.
#replacements #including #Sam #Cassel















































