Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 candidates to replace Billy Donovan as head coach

1. Adrian Griffin

As an assistant coach in the NBA since 2008, Adrian Griffin has long been mentioned among the ranks of quality assistants who should be “next” to get a head coaching gig somewhere in the league. He’d also be a familiar face for the Thunder, since he was an assistant in OKC from 2016-18.

Griffin got started in the league as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks for two years. He jumped around from the Chicago Bulls (five years) to the Orlando Magic (one year) to the Thunder (two years) to the Toronto Raptors (two years). He’s gained a wealth of knowledge about the league and its players coaching under guys like Donovan, Tom Thibodeau, Nick Nurse and yes, Scott Skiles. He’s seen what works and what doesn’t work.

It’s time for Griffin to get his chance at an NBA head coaching gig, not just because the league has a real problem with giving these kinds of opportunities to Black assistants/former players, but also because he’s paid his dues and is now overdue for serious consideration for a job opening like this.

Griffin has a reputation as a stern, developmental coach, which could prove useful for a rebuilding squad like the Thunder. He’s experienced the thrill and hardship of winning an NBA title, and if the Bulls don’t scoop him up first, Oklahoma City should strongly consider him as the next assistant to make the leap to the big chair on the sidelines.