NBA Coaches Most Likely to Be Fired First in the 2026-27 Season
Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez
Published: Wed Oct 14, 2026, 9:00 am ET
Read Time: 6 minutes
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Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse tops BetOnline's odds to become the first NBA head coach fired during the 2026-27 season. Nurse leads the market at 4/1, ahead of Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie at 5/1.
Washington Wizards coach Brian Keefe ranks third at 6/1, followed by Ime Udoka at 7/1 and Kenny Atkinson at 8/1. The early NBA odds highlight several coaches facing scrutiny as teams prepare for another demanding campaign.
Meanwhile, the market offers an intriguing angle for bettors following coaching changes through US online sportsbooks. However, these prices reflect betting expectations rather than confirmed concerns from team executives.
Recent List of Fired NBA Coaches
The last five seasons in the NBA show how quickly coaching situations can change across the league.
Season
Coach
Team
Outcome / Context
2025-26
Willie Green
New Orleans Pelicans
Dismissed midseason
2024-25
Mike Brown
Sacramento Kings
Bounced back to win 2026 Title with NYK
2023-24
Adrian Griffin
Milwaukee Bucks
Dismissed despite 30-13 record
2022-23
Steve Nash
Brooklyn Nets
Mutually parted ways early
2021-22
Luke Walton
Sacramento Kings
Dismissed following 6-11 start
An early dismissal does not necessarily end a coach's prospects. Brown, for example, returned to the sidelines with the New York Knicks after his Sacramento departure.
Others have struggled to secure another head coaching opportunity. Adrian Griffin, who was fired by Milwaukee during the 2023-24 season, illustrates how differently those career paths can unfold.
Nick Nurse (4/1 | +400) Faces Pressure in Philadelphia
Nurse enters the season as BetOnline's leading candidate to receive the first coaching dismissal. Philadelphia faces significant expectations, particularly following the reported blockbuster additions of LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.
Those moves would put the 76ers under considerable pressure to deliver results. If the team struggles to meet expectations, Nurse could face mounting scrutiny from management and fans.
There is also a front-office consideration surrounding his position. General manager Mike Gansey did not hire Nurse, as Daryl Morey originally brought him to Philadelphia. Although that detail does not guarantee a coaching change, organizational priorities can influence a coach's job security.
Doug Christie (5/1 | +500) Could Extend Sacramento's History
Christie sits just behind Nurse in BetOnline's market, making him another leading candidate for an early dismissal. Sacramento's recent history adds an interesting dimension to his position.
The Kings have supplied two of the first coaches fired over the past five seasons. Luke Walton was dismissed first in 2021-22, while Mike Brown suffered the same fate in 2024-25.
If Christie becomes the first coach fired this season, Sacramento would record three such dismissals in six seasons. That possibility makes the Kings one of the more notable storylines in this market.
Brian Keefe (6/1 | +600) Ranks Third in the Hot Seat
Washington Wizards coach Brian Keefe holds the third-shortest price at 6/1. His position places him among the leading candidates, although the odds alone do not establish that Washington plans to make a coaching change.
Keefe's inclusion also shows that the market extends beyond teams with prominent championship expectations. Coaching decisions can depend on rebuilding timelines, player development and whether management believes a team is progressing.
Consequently, Washington's results and broader organizational goals could shape how Keefe's position develops throughout the season.
Ime Udoka (7/1 | +700) Faces Rising Expectations in Houston
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka ranks fourth at 7/1 after guiding the team to a 52-30 regular-season record. The Rockets' progress has raised expectations as their young core matures alongside aggressive veteran additions.
Udoka's position on the list reflects the pressure that comes with a roster expected to compete for playoff series victories. After Houston's strong regular season, simply maintaining its previous performance might not satisfy management.
Early-season friction, rigid tactical decisions or results below the team's perceived ceiling could quickly intensify scrutiny. If the Rockets stumble, executives may reconsider their approach rather than wait for the situation to improve.
For bettors researching NBA picks, Udoka presents an interesting case. His odds suggest potential pressure driven more by heightened expectations than by previous failure.
Kenny Atkinson (8/1 | +800) Must Keep Cleveland Moving Forward
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson completes the top five at 8/1. During his initial run with Cleveland, he faced the challenge of balancing a roster built around multiple stars across the backcourt and frontcourt.
That challenge becomes more significant when the Cavaliers face elite Eastern Conference contenders. Mixed results against top competition could raise questions about whether Atkinson's system can deliver consistent postseason success.
Cleveland's management will expect the team to keep progressing rather than settle into a plateau. If the offense stalls or the Cavaliers look outmatched early against their strongest rivals, pressure on Atkinson could rise quickly.
His price remains longer than those of the four coaches above him. Nevertheless, Cleveland's expectations make Atkinson a name worth watching as the season develops.
Team Expectations Could Decide the First Firing
The five leading candidates face different kinds of pressure. Nurse must navigate Philadelphia's expectations and front-office dynamics, while Christie risks adding another chapter to Sacramento's recent coaching turnover.
Keefe's position depends more on Washington's rebuilding progress, whereas Udoka must turn Houston's improved regular-season performance into deeper postseason success.
Atkinson faces a similar test in Cleveland, where management will expect continued progress against the Eastern Conference's strongest teams.
Those contrasting situations make the market more than a simple ranking of coaches under pressure. As the season unfolds, team performance, organizational patience and postseason ambitions could determine which candidate emerges as the most vulnerable.
For bettors tracking NBA odds and NBA picks, the early prices offer a starting point rather than a final verdict.
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Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.
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