Fansided

Power ranking the NBA coaching vacancies

By Rucker Haringey

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game Seven in Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Semi Ojeleye #37 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game Seven in Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on April 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Damian Lillard
NEW ORLEANS, LA – APRIL 19: Damian Lillard /

2. Trail Blazers or Clippers

We’re grouping two potential openings as wild cards at this spot on the list. If either Portland or Los Angeles end up parting ways with their coach, their openings will shoot up near the top of the vacancy ranking.

You will notice that Detroit is not included in this list. They might part ways with Stan Van Gundy, but their roster is what it will be for foreseeable future. They’re locked into a ceiling that tops out at also-ran Eastern Conference playoff team.

Portland had a disappointing playoff run but they were an excellent regular season team. Potential coaches could do a lot worse than selecting a team with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum to build on. That’s a dynamic offensive back court who can win you a lot of games.

The Clippers may face some heightened roster uncertainty, but Los Angeles will always be a city capable of wooing big time free agents. If Doc Rivers does elect to take his talents elsewhere, plenty of coaches will try to replace him in the city of Angels.

In the end, it would be a moderate surprise if either Portland or Los Angeles open up this offseason. It’s not impossible though. Stranger things have certainly happened in the NBA.

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