After an offseason in which seven new head coaches were appointed, the NBA's coaching carousel has made its way into the regular season.
The Sacramento Kings have parted ways with head coach Luke Walton 17 games into the 2021-22 campaign. Walton, who compiled a 68-93 record during his time in Sacramento, was in his third year as the team's head coach.
In the wake of the midseason firing, the Kings have promoted associate head coach Alvin Gentry to be the head coach for the remainder of the season, but the team could still open a search elsewhere for a long-term coach.
Who are some coaches to be aware of? Here's a look at some notable names in the NBA's coaching world.
Alvin Gentry
Regular-season record: 510-595 (.462)
Postseason record: 17-13 (.567)
Gentry, the Kings' interim coach for the remainder of the 2021-22 season, is well-versed in coaching young stars.
With over 30 years of NBA coaching experience, Gentry has led teams featuring Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson in recent years. As noted by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, success with Sacramento during his interim campaign could result in Gentry shedding the interim tag.
Terry Stotts
Regular-season record: 517-486 (.515)
Postseason record: 23-44 (.343)
After nine seasons at the helm in Portland, both Stotts and the organization mutually agreed to part ways.
Stotts, who led the Blazers to a 42-30 record in 2020-21, was not hired in the 2021 offseason despite being favoured for a number of jobs, including the Pacers' position.
Mike D'Antoni
Regular-season record: 672-527 (.560)
Postseason record: 54-56 (.491)
After a four-year stint as the team's head coach, D'Antoni and the Houston Rockets mutually agreed to part ways in 2020.
The two-time Coach of the Year is spending the 2021-22 season as a coaching advisor with the New Orleans Pelicans. Over the 2021 offseason, D'Antoni interviewed for the Trail Blazers' coaching vacancy, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Kenny Atkinson
Regular-season record: 118-190 (.383)
Postseason record: 1-4 (.200)
After eight seasons as an NBA assistant, Atkinson took over as the head coach of the Nets ahead of the 2016-17 season.
The 54-year-old led the Nets to the postseason in 2019, losing in five games to the Philadelphia 76ers. Brooklyn relieved Atkinson of his head coaching duties 62 games into the 2019-20 season. Known for his ability to get the most out of young talent, Atkinson is currently an assistant for the Golden State Warriors under Steve Kerr.
Steve Clifford
Regular-season record: 292-345 (.458)
Postseason record: 5-16 (.238)
After the Magic committed to a rebuild, the franchise and Clifford mutually decided to part ways.
Clifford, who brings over 20 years of coaching experience and eight years of head coaching experience, is the type of coach that could do well with a team equipped to win now.
Luke Walton
Regular-season record: 166-241 (.408)
Postseason record: 0-0
(Note: Led Warriors to 39-4 start in place of Steve Kerr in 2015-16 season, but wins were credited to Kerr.)
Walton, who was fired by the Kings 17 games into the 2021-22 NBA season, has a bevy of coaching experience at just 41 years old.
A 10-year NBA veteran, Walton spent two years as an assistant before taking the helm with the Lakers in the 2016-17 season. After three seasons in Los Angeles, Walton and the franchise mutually agreed to part ways, only for him to be hired by Sacramento days later.
Walton compiled a 68-93 record with the Kings.
Charles Lee
An assistant with the Bucks, Wojnarowski reported that Lee was an expected candidate for the job in New Orleans last offseason.
The 36-year-old native of the Washington, D.C. area has been an assistant under Mike Budenholzer since 2014, spending four seasons with the Atlanta Hawks and the last three with Milwaukee. He was also a finalist for the vacancy with the Wizards in 2021.
Becky Hammon
Hammon is in her eighth season as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich. A six-time WNBA All-Star, Hammon has continued to rise in the coaching ranks, interviewing for numerous positions in years past.
She led the Spurs to a Summer League title in 2015 and, this past December, took over as acting head coach after Popovich was ejected from a game. In 2021, Hammon was reportedly a candidate for the job in Portland before Chauncey Billups was hired.
Sam Cassell
A member of Doc Rivers' staff in Philadelphia, Cassell is in his 13th season as an NBA assistant. Last year, Cassell interviewed for the opening with the Clippers before following Rivers to Philly.
Doug Christie
After three seasons as the Kings' TV analyst, Christie became an assistant coach with the franchise in 2021. The 14-year NBA veteran spent five seasons in Sacramento as a player and, according to Wojnarowski, was considered as a prospect to take on the interim role before Gentry was chosen.
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