After five coaching changes occurred at the end of the 2014-2015 NBA season, there are a number of coaches who are on the hot seat for the 2015-2016 season. Here is a look at the top five who may not finish out the season with their respective teams.
Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets
After making the playoffs in his first year at the helm, Clifford's squad struggled last season. The Hornets won just 33 games and ended the 2014-2015 season on a six game losing streak. With a bevy of roster changes made by management this summer, including a top ten draft pick in Frank Kaminsky, the Hornets have reason for optimism heading into 2015-2016. With the likes of Kemba Walker, Al Jefferson, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who signed a four-year contract extension just days ago, Clifford has a solid starting lineup and a deep bench that should allow him to reach the postseason in what has been a weak Eastern Conference. However, we know how much owner, Michael Jordan, wants to win and, should anything go awry for the Hornets this season, Clifford is as good as gone.
Randy Wittman, Washington Wizards
A career record of 237-365, Wittman found success in his third season as the head coach of the Wizards. 2014 was his first season with a winning record and, subsequently, the first in which his team made the playoffs. But while the Wizards have made the postseason in each of their last two seasons, they have been unable to get past the second round. They were one of the better teams in the East in 2014-2015, but slipped up after the All-Star break and entered the postseason as the fifth seed in the conference. With the likes of John Wall and Bradley Beal, Wittman should be expected to go farther in the playoffs. The Wizards do not have dominating forwards, but have depth in the post and acquired several other players in Gary Neal and Jared Dudley, who will improve their roster. The deciding moment for Wittman will likely not come until the postseason but, should the Wizards slip up before then, a coaching change may come sooner.
Brett Brown, Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have been the worst team in the NBA over the past two seasons. In that span, Brown has compiled a 37-127 record as an NBA head coach. While his team is in serious rebuilding mode, Brown now has two young big men in Nerlens Noel and 2015 third overall draft pick, Jahlil Okafor, to claw the team out of the bottom of the East. Young but talented, it is on Brown to develop his players' potential. If the 76ers show no signs of life in the 2015-2016 season, the hot seat could ignite and Brown could be out of Philadelphia.
Byron Scott, Los Angeles Lakers
Another coach who has several top draft picks on his roster, Scott will also be tasked with the development of his team as the Lakers attempt to climb out of the bottom of the Western Conference. The Lakers had a successful offseason, filling out their roster with the likes of Brandon Bass, Roy Hibbert, and 2015 Sixth Man of the Year, Louis Williams. The biggest challenge for Scott, however, will be avoiding any collisions among Kobe Bryant and his teammates. Nick Young and D'Angelo Russell have both had their issues with Bryant and Hibbert is another player whose attitude could present a similar scenario. In what will be Bryant's last season in a Lakers uniform, Scott is in a tough spot, but will need to improve the team if he hopes to remain part of the future in Los Angeles.
David Blatt, Cleveland Cavaliers
A coach who seemed to be on the hot seat at times last season, it was a surprise that Blatt returned to Cleveland for 2015-2016. On the other hand, it would have been a much bigger story if the first-year head coach was let go after taking his team to the 2015 NBA Finals. Nonetheless, Blatt will be on the hot seat this season as he and LeBron James attempt to remain on the same page. The goal for the Cavs in the 2015-2016 season is, of course, winning the NBA Finals. That is a lot of pressure on Blatt, but pressure that can easily boil over if the team falls short of their ultimate goal.