Clifford or Billups, Which NBA Coach Gets Fired First?

With the NBA heading into its final month of the regular season, it’s time to handicap who will be

the next coach getting his walking papers. The Nets, Bucks and Wizards have already fired

their coaches in 2024, and you know there will be more to come as soon as the regular season

wraps up. What’s interesting, we could see multiple coaches canned on “Blue Monday” but

you’ll have to be aware of the timing of these firings.

Steve Clifford (Charlotte) +100

In just his second season with the Hornets, Steve Clifford is unlikely to return for a third. After a

27-55 record last year, Clifford’s team has regressed in 2024 ranking in the bottom 4 of the NBA

overall standings. To make matters worse, the Hornets suffered a 53 point loss to the 76ers, the

worst in franchise history. Clifford isn’t expected back, but how quickly will he be relieved of his

duties?

Chauncey Billups (Portland) +150

Chauncey Billups hasn’t exactly set the Pacific Northwest on fire during his three seasons in

Portland. His win-loss record is terrible, more than 150 losses and just over 75 wins. But he

can’t be fully at fault for this franchise’s recent record of futility. After trading away Damien

Lillard the Trailblazers were in full rebuild mode. And the team hasn’t been able to fully commit

to starting No. 3 overall draft pick Scoot Henderson. Billups time is up in Portland, and will likely

get the pink slip April 15th, the day after the season is over.

Darvin Ham (LAL) +450

If you coach the Lakers you are always on the hot seat and that’s the case for Darvin Ham.

After leading Los Angeles to the conference finals, Ham now finds himself likely in a play-in

game. If Lebron and company crash and burn much of the blame will fall on Ham’s plate. And

as we know, if Lebron sticks around and wants a change for next season, management likely

will accommodate.

VALUE BET

Monty Williams (DET) +750

How can you survive a season when your team lost 28 games in a row? Well, for Monty

Williams, he somehow still has a job in Detroit despite having one of the worst records in the

league. There are some pieces in the Motor City but it just hasn’t worked out for Williams.

Perhaps his first season in Detroit just wasn’t a good fit from the beginning. His status depends

on how much of a financial hit ownership wants to take. The Pistons gave Williams an

eye-popping six-year, $78.5 million deal. Paying that much to a coach to not come to work may

not be in the cards for ownership

Next Head Coach Fired

Steve Clifford (Charlotte) +100

Chauncey Billups (Portland) +150

Darvin Ham (LAL) +450

Monty Williams (DET) +750

Quin Snyder (ATL) +1200

Darko Rajakovic (TOR) +2000

Taylor Jenkins (MEM) +3300

Billy Donovan (CHI) +4000

For the latest NBA odds visit BetOnline.