Ranking the best available NBA head coaching candidates

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates after the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

5 of 10

PLAYA VISTA, CA – FEBRUARY 20: Rodney Purvis #9 talks with Jeff Van Gundy of Team USA on February 20, 2018 at the LA Clippers Training Center in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

6. Jeff Van Gundy

Stan isn’t the only member of the Van Gundy family that might be looking for a head coaching job this summer. His brother Jeff is interested in parlaying his dealings with Team USA into a return to the NBA.

That work with Team USA provides a real differentiation point between he and other broadcasters who are looking to jump back into coaching (read Mark Jackson). Van Gundy has taken tangible steps to keep up with the game and its players. That should give him excellent odds to get one more chance to lead an NBA team.

Teams know what they’re going to get with Van Gundy. He’s a tough, credible coach who will get every ounce of production he can from his roster. There’s a serious question over whether or not he can lead a team to a title, but there’s no question he can elevate a roster a level or two.

Van Gundy should be particularly attractive to a team that’s trying to win now, but isn’t having a ton of success. His best quality on the bench is taking an average team and making them produce good results.

Home/NBA