NBA coaching and front office intel: Bucks, Bulls, Warriors, Magic and more

With the end of the 2025-26 NBA regular season upon us, there’s expected to be a ton of turnover around the league for coaching positions.

Thus, HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel on several key situations to monitor, including what’s next for the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Washington Wizards, Atlanta Hawks, and Sacramento Kings.

What’s next for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Doc Rivers, and Jon Horst?

Jan 27, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Doc Rivers speaks at a press conference with general manager Jon Horst where he was introduce as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the most intriguing situations being monitored across the NBA due to the futures of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, coach Doc Rivers, and general manager Jon Horst.

After several teams made trade offers before the deadline, Antetokounmpo will have to decide if he’ll accept a maximum contract from the Bucks this summer worth roughly $275 million, which will be available starting October 1, or seek a trade for a better chance to compete for a championship.

Though in the immediate future, the focus is on the futures of Rivers and Horst.

When asked by HoopsHype on Tuesday, April 7th, how much longer he envisions coaching as he prepares to enter the Hall of Fame, Rivers all but spelled out his future when he replied, “I won’t answer that, but I have grandkids that I want to see. I’ll put it that way. I’ll let you figure it out from there. I have seven grandkids now, and they’re all eight years and under, and it kills me every time I miss Grandparents' Day with each one of them in school. It’s probably time to go see them more, so I’ll let you figure out the rest.”

The growing expectation within league circles is that Rivers won’t be Milwaukee's head coach next season. Instead, there’s a belief that Rivers could pivot to an undetermined role in Milwaukee’s front office.

Speaking of Milwaukee’s front office, Horst signed a multi-year extension in April of 2025. During Horst’s tenure as Bucks general manager, he guided the Bucks to the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons, won NBA Executive of the Year in 2019, and led the Bucks to the championship in 2021.

In recent interviews with local reporters Eric Nehm of The Athletic and Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Horst defended Rivers as “an unbelievable partner” and described the coach’s efforts as “masterful” amid the team's struggles this season.

Thus, while some around the league have questioned Horst’s future with the possibility of Rivers joining the front office in some capacity, Horst’s interviews on the record would suggest he’ll return.

Should Horst remain as general manager and Antetokounmpo extend his contract, the Bucks have three first-round picks, which can be dangled as trade bait to improve the team.

As for potential coaching candidates, the Bucks have an internal candidate in Darvin Ham who will also be sought after by the Pelicans, according to league sources, this summer.

Taylor Jenkins will almost assuredly draw interest from Milwaukee if their head coaching job becomes available. Jenkins will arguably be the most sought-after coach on the market and was previously an assistant coach under Mike Budenholzer when the Bucks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2019.

Another name to potentially consider is Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego, who previously interviewed for Milwaukee’s head coaching job when Adrian Griffin was hired, and will also be available this summer.

Other coaching candidates will surface, including top assistant coaches who’ve gone through the interview cycle with other teams before.

What’s next for Bulls coach Billy Donovan and Chicago’s front office?

Apr 10, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls Head Coach Billy Donovan leaves the court after the game against the Orlando Magic at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Following the firings of former Bulls executives Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, the franchise remains steadfast in wanting to retain head coach Billy Donovan, but the ball is in his court regarding his future in Chicago, league sources told HoopsHype.

Should Donovan remain, Bulls President Michael Reinsdorf has already publicly stated that he’d want a lead executive who wants to pair with his current coach.

So, the question becomes whether there is another job that could interest Donovan in leaving Chicago?

After Donovan was heavily linked to the North Carolina job, which Michael Malone ultimately accepted, that’s no longer an option.

However, with many around the league closely monitoring what the Orlando Magic will do with current coach Jamahl Mosley, it’s a potential option worth looking at for Donovan. Of course, Donovan was once hired by the Magic in 2007 only to back out of the job days later and return to the University of Florida. Several other coaching openings are expected and noted in this story to monitor. Additionally, the playoffs could dictate another couple of openings.

Meanwhile, some names have begun to emerge as potential candidates for Chicago’s lead executive position.

Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd, who began his career working for the Bulls, is a rising executive who’s been on the radar of several teams over the years. One factor to consider is whether the Bulls would want to hire another one of Tim Connelly’s right-hand executives after hiring Karnisoves, who worked for Connelly in Denver. Ironically, Tim’s brother, Pat, also remains on staff as Chicago’s assistant general manager.

CAA’s Austin Brown – one of the most prominent NBA agents – is based in Chicago, has had several clients play for Donovan over the years, and has been cited as a potential candidate. Would the Bulls be prepared to make a significant offer to pry him away from the agent side of the business?

Further clarity and more candidates will likely come for Donovan and Chicago’s front office situation in the coming weeks.

How much longer will Steve Kerr remain Golden State’s coach?

Apr 5, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr instructs his team during action against the Houston Rockets in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has won four NBA championships and over 600 regular-season games during his 12-year tenure. However, since winning the 2022 championship, the Warriors have lost in the Western Conference Semifinals in 2023 and 2025, missed the playoffs entirely in 2024, and will compete in the Play-In Tournament this season.

Within that span, Kerr has had to navigate several situations, including Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole during a Golden State Warriors practice and a suspension of Green by the NBA, the departure of long-time executive Bob Myers who was replaced by Mike Dunleavy Jr., Klay Thompson's fluctuating role and eventual departure, the death of beloved assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, a tense relationship with Jonathan Kuminga that eventually led to him being traded and a season-ending injury to Jimmy Butler this season.

Meanwhile, Warriors franchise icon Stephen Curry has remained a staunch advocate of Kerr, and the sense within league circles is the two would like to finish together in Golden State.

With that said, two key questions remain going into the offseason: Will Golden State want to continue paying Kerr as the league’s highest-paid coach? Additionally, after several tough seasons to navigate, is Kerr burnt out?

Following the season, Kerr and Warriors management will discuss their future together.

Will the Orlando Magic make a coaching change?

Apr 10, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Orlando Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley directs his team during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

As Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley nears the end of his fifth season in Orlando, he’s now guided the franchise to three straight seasons at the .500 mark or better, which hasn’t been done since 2009-11.

Yet, with heightened expectations following the Desmond Bane blockbuster trade acquisition, there was a belief that Orlando could compete for possible home-court advantage as one of the Top 4 teams in the East or an assured playoff spot at the minimum.

However, prolonged injuries to Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs have the Magic fighting on the fringe of a guaranteed playoff spot and the Play-In Tournament heading into Orlando’s final game on Sunday.

Should Orlando move on from Mosley, keep an eye on veteran free agent coaches Taylor Jenkins and Tom Thibodeau drawing interest. Another name to monitor would be Bulls coach Billy Donovan, who will have the option to remain with Chicago or pursue another coaching position.

It’s also worth noting that former Magic assistant coach James Borrego, who’s currently the interim head coach for the New Orleans Pelicans, will also be available this summer.

Lastly, prior to Michael Malone accepting the North Carolina head coaching job, many within league circles believed he was a coaching candidate for Orlando if the franchise pivoted away from Mosley after its season concluded.

Will the New Orleans Pelicans retain interim coach James Borrego?

Apr 5, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans Interim Head Coach James Borrego reacts to a play against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

After parting ways with former head coach Willie Green after a 2-10 start to the season, New Orleans Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego has gone 24-45 since heading into Sunday’s season finale.

Borrego will be a candidate to retain the job going forward, but others are also expected to be in the mix, including Darvin Ham and Kevin Ollie, league sources told HoopsHype. In addition, league sources say current Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has several admirers in New Orleans. Should Mosley not be retained by Orlando after the season, he would also be towards the top of the coaching candidate list for New Orleans.

It’s worth noting that Pelicans general manager Troy Weaver was seen chatting with Ham ahead of the Bucks vs Pelicans game on February 20th. As a player, Ham was also with Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars for two years in Detroit, which included winning the championship in 2004 and reaching the NBA Finals in 2005.

Speaking of Detroit, Ollie was heavily in the mix for Detroit’s head coaching vacancy when the team hired Monty Williams. Ollie interviewed for the job while Weaver was the franchise’s lead executive. In fact, Ollie’s relationship with Weaver extends beyond basketball. “He’s like a father figure to me,” Ollie previously told the Detroit Free Press.

In addition, the Pelicans are also exploring the possibility of expanding their front office with the addition of another assistant general manager, along with other possible changes to the current staff, league sources told HoopsHype.

Will new ownership lead to changes for the Portland Trail Blazers?

Apr 8, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Tiago Splitter yells out to players during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Following Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups being placed on an indefinite leave during an FBI gambling investigation and the NBA fining the franchise $100,000 while suspending assistant general managers Mike Schmitz and Sergi Oliva two weeks without pay for violating rules governing contact with draft-ineligible players in connection with the team’s scouting of Yang Hansen in December 2023, a new ownership group led by Tom Dundon was approved leading many around the league wondering if changes to Portland’s front office and coaching staff could be looming this summer while the team prepares to compete in the Play-In Tournament.

Amidst the unusual circumstances, interim head coach Tiago Splitter has guided the Blazers to a 41-39 record since taking over, and they now share the No. 8 seed with the Los Angeles Clippers at 41-40 overall in the West heading into Sunday’s season finale.

As Splitter tries to guide Portland to its first playoff berth since the 2020-21 season, he’ll be among the candidates under consideration for the job next season, league sources told HoopsHype.

Several highly regarded top assistant coaches around the league, as well as some college coaches, are also expected to be in the mix, with Portland not expected to spend heavily on the position, league sources told HoopsHype.

Meanwhile, the job statuses of Blazers general manager Joe Cronin and team president Dewayne Hankins were described by Dundon as “solid” when recently speaking with Joe Freeman of The Oregonian.

Will the Washington Wizards retain coach Brian Keefe?

Apr 5, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe looks on during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Washington Wizards entered this season looking to continue developing their young core and look at buy-low trade targets who could help them begin to turn the corner in their rebuild next season while keeping their 2026 top-eight protected draft pick in the process.

Second-year building blocks Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George showed statistical signs of growth across the board this season, while rookies Tre Johnson and Will Riley showed flashes of becoming impact players for the future.

The Wizards also acquired 27-year-old four-time All-Star Trae Young and 33-year-old 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis ahead of the trade deadline. The moves simultaneously bolster Washington’s chances of winning next season and hasten the development of their young core, while not hurting their draft lottery odds this season, as both recovered from injuries.

Washington secured the league’s worst record, which gives them a 14 percent chance to land the No. 1 pick, a 52.1 percent chance to land within the top four picks, and a floor of the fifth pick at worst in a highly-regarded 2026 draft class.

With the Wizards looking to take a step in their rebuild process next season and after making two big-name acquisitions, many around the league have questioned from afar whether head coach Brian Keefe will remain or if the franchise will pivot to a new head coach with more of a proven track record such as Taylor Jenkins who’s expected to be the most sought after coach on the market. Michael Malone was also another coaching candidate linked to the Wizards from afar before he took the North Carolina coaching job.

Yet, within the nation’s capital, there’s been support for Keefe dating back to his bond with Wizards executives Michael Winger and Will Dawkins from their days with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Keefe also accomplished what was asked of him by the organization since taking over as head coach by developing the young core while experiencing growing pains in the standings.

Thus, Keefe’s situation could be somewhat reminiscent of former NBA head coach Brett Brown, who endured several years of losing as the Philadelphia 76ers landed high lottery picks before getting a chance to prove himself with a more talented roster.

Overall, while Keefe is respected and appreciated by the organization, his future is undecided and will be studied closely following the season, league sources told HoopsHype.

Will the Atlanta Hawks extend coach Quin Snyder?

Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks head coach Quin Snyder reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Hawks are the hottest team in the Eastern Conference since the All-Star break, with a 20-5 record, and have won their most games overall since the 2015-16 season.

With the Hawks surging and head coach Quin Snyder entering the final year of his contract for the 2026-27 season, keep an eye on both sides exploring a contract extension.

In addition to recently eclipsing the 500-win mark for his career, Snyder has Atlanta leading the league in assists per game (30.1) heading into Sunday’s season finale. The Hawks also rank second in fast break points per game (18.2), rank fifth in steals per game (9.4) and 3-pointers made (1,184), and rank sixth in 3-point percentage (.371).

Snyder has also seamlessly integrated CJ McCollum, Jonathan Kuminga, Corey Kispert, and Jock Landale into his rotation after Hawks executive Onsi Saleh acquired each player via trade during the season, aligning with their shared philosophy on roster construction and culture.

Kings keeping Doug Christie

Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie looks on against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

The Sacramento Kings endured an injury-riddled season, which limited three-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis to a career-low 19 games, two-time All-Star Zach LaVine to 39 games, Keegan Murray to a career-low 23 games, and De’Andre Hunter to only two games after being acquired before the trade deadline.

Following a franchise-worst 16-game losing streak that dropped Sacramento to 12-46, the Kings have gone 10-13 since and are now tied for the league’s fourth-worst record at 22-59 with the Utah Jazz heading into Sunday’s finale.

Recently, the NBA also looked into a strategy mistake when the Kings intentionally fouled Seth Curry while leading the Warriors with 3:15 left during Sacramento’s loss to Golden State on April 7. However, the league determined the Kings mistakenly believed the Warriors weren’t in the penalty and therefore instructed Doug McDermott to foul to stop the clock and utilize one of Sacramento’s remaining timeouts.

Despite Sacramento’s tough season, there’s a growing sense that coach Doug Christie – who went 27-24 as an interim head coach during the 2024-25 season and remains in good standing with owner Vivek Ranadivé – will return as Kings coach next season, league sources told HoopsHype, confirming a report from The Athletic.

You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Blue Sky (@MikeAScotto).

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA coaching and front office intel: Bucks, Bulls, Warriors, Magic and more