Should Terry Stotts Be on the Hot Seat?

The 2018-2019 NBA season has not even begun, which leaves time, maybe too much, to analyze the upcoming season. One popular topic heading into any season is what coaches could be on the edge of losing their job. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report listed his five picks for the hottest coaching seat, with Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts among the choices.

His suggestion of Stotts is centered primarily around the recent playoff struggles for the Blazers.

To Stotts’ credit, he’s made a living out of maximizing what he has at his disposal. But this roster is flawed (with no money to fix it), and his playoff record is lacking (12-28). His contract is up after next season, and he’d be easier to change out than Lillard or McCollum.

Buckley also criticized the Portland front office for re-signing Jusuf Nurkic, whom he blames for the team “plateauing,” rather than going after help on the wings.

Stotts has been the Portland head coach since the 2012-13 season and has a regular season record of 272-220 over that time. He has coached the team to a .500 record (or above) in five of his six seasons. The Blazers extended his contract in May 2016.

Among the other coaches Buckley listed are Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets and Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder.