Let’s be clear: the Washington Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. is not on the hot seat. In fact, all reporting indicates that his job is safe for the next 12 months. Josh Robbins of The Athletic has pointed out that the new front office under Michael Winger has high regard for Unseld Jr. Especially in a developmental year where the organization doesn’t have expectations of winning, Unseld Jr.’s job security is certainly not in danger.
However, his back-to-back seasons of 35 wins when the team was trying to make the playoffs have rung the alarm bells. It’s difficult to identify any specific area that the team particularly overachieved or impressed.
Player development has been less than stellar. Corey Kispert has become a better all-around player, but Johnny Davis and Deni Avdija have not shown the improvement the Wizards fans were hoping for. Rui Hachimura was underwhelming in a Wizards uniform before blossoming into a productive starter with the Los Angeles Lakers. Not getting the most out of the young players has been an issue under Unseld Jr.
The on-court performance has been underwhelming as well. The Wizards ranked 25th and 22nd respectively in defensive efficiency in the two seasons under Unseld Jr. Considering that the defensive scheme is one area a coach can have the most impact on a team, two straight seasons of bottom-ten defense is not ideal.
It’s not like the Wizards had horrendous defensive personnel in this period. Kyle Kuzma, Deni Avdija, and Delon Wright are above-average defenders, and Daniel Gafford and Kristaps Porzingis can thrive in the right defensive system. There is enough defensive talent there to create an average defense. Unseld Jr. has failed to do that in both of his seasons.
So, he may not be technically on the hot seat, but another disappointing season by Unseld Jr. could easily see him get replaced. Obviously, this season is going to be judged more by player development and the building of winning habits rather than the win total for the Washington Wizards. If Unseld Jr. fails on that front, there are plenty of excellent head coach candidates the Wizards can consider.
Mike Budenholzer
After a disappointing first-round exit in the hands of the Miami Heat, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to part ways with Mike Budenholzer this summer. Two-time Coach of the Year winner and a one-time NBA champion, Budenholzer is one of the most respected coaches without a job right now.
Budenholzer’s lack of adjustments in the playoffs drew the ire of many fans. His failure to adjust against Jimmy Butler while getting destroyed by him all series was extremely frustrating. Yet, that shouldn’t take away from his accomplishments in his ten years as a head coach.
Both in his five years with the Atlanta Hawks and the five years with the Bucks, Budenholzer was able to create regular-season juggernauts. In 2014-15, he led a limited Atlanta Hawks group to 60 wins and helped the Milwaukee Bucks play a 50+ wins pace every single season. His win percentage of .604 is one of the best among active coaches.
There aren’t many coaches better than him at building a system. He is a master at shutting off the paint and protecting the rim, consistently creating elite defenses. His contribution in turning Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez into two of the best defenders in the NBA is undeniable.
He could do the same for the Washington Wizards, especially Bilal Coulibaly. The rookie could follow in the footsteps of Antetokounmpo and Budenholzer could provide that blueprint for him. Once a system is in place and everyone knows their role, it’s much easier for everything to fall into place. Player development will come first and regular-season wins will naturally follow.
The Wizards could do much worse than giving Mike Budenholzer the keys to the locker room.
Becky Hammon
Another coach who is currently not in the NBA but should be one of the most sought-after candidates in any head coach openings is Becky Hammon.
After leading the Las Vegas Aces to a WNBA championship last summer and being the first rookie head coach to win a title, Hammon is currently in the midst of one of the most dominant regular-season performances of all time. She is undoubtedly going to end up as an NBA head coach one day.
And why couldn’t she start with the Washington Wizards?
A recent Hall-of-Fame inductee and long-time San Antonio Spurs assistant, Hammon has a lot of pedigree around the basketball world. Being part of the Gregg Popovich coaching tree bodes well for coaches in general, and Hammon’s career so far is another strong piece of evidence to back that up. If the Wizards don’t hire her, it’s almost certain that she is going to end up coaching the Spurs one day.
Hiring Hammon would not only give the Wizards an excellent, well-respected head coach, but it would also give them a much-needed boost in national attention. Considering new team president Michael Winger’s intention to make Washington a free-agent destination, increasing the organization’s reputation by hiring the NBA’s first-ever female head coach would go a long way on that front.
Doc Rivers
An NBA champion, Coach of the Year winner, and the ninth-winningest coach in NBA history, Doc Rivers is perhaps the highest-profile coach on the market today. After being let go by the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason after three straight conference semifinal exits, Rivers agreed to become an ESPN analyst for the 2023-24 season. After coaching for 20 years straight without a pause, this is a much-needed break for the 61-year-old.
After one season of being a color commentator, Rivers may want to make a return to coaching. The Washington Wizards could be a wonderful option for both sides.
Doc Rivers’ postseason struggles will likely make him an unappealing target for contending teams. However, for a team like the Wizards, Rivers’ regular season magic could be appealing. Rivers has consistently overachieved in the regular season, especially with limited rosters. When he won Coach of the Year in 2000 with the Orlando Magic, the team was slated to have the worst record in the NBA that year. Rivers carried them to 41 wins.
Rivers is one of the best ever at managing players. He made a reputation for himself in managing egos as he led the Boston Celtics to the NBA championship in 2008. He knows how to get the most out of individual players as he installs discipline and organization in every team he coaches. This could make him an excellent fit as the Wizards are desperately seeking to build a winning culture in Washington.
It’s hard for any rebuilding team to do better than Doc Rivers. If Unseld Jr. is no longer the head coach after next season, Rivers should be on top of the list for the Wizards.
Kenny Atkinson
Despite being a lower-profile name compared to the other coaches on this list, Kenny Atkinson is a very well-respected figure in the basketball world. Currently an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors, Atkinson is regularly a frontrunner for head coach openings around the league.
Atkinson owes much of his reputation to his four seasons as a head coach of the Brooklyn Nets between 2016 and 2020. He made a name for himself as a player development-focused coach who helped the Nets overachieve with relatively limited rosters. In fact, the system he built in Brooklyn was credited for enticing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to sign there in 2019.
Even though he is generally known as a player development coach, Atkinson has plenty of experience working with stars as well. Following the Nets, he spent a season as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers, before moving to the Golden State Warriors. He was an integral part of Steve Kerr’s coaching staff that won the 2022 NBA championship.
Working under Steve Kerr and one of the best systems in the NBA is a blessing for any coach. Any team that hires Atkinson would benefit immensely from his Golden State experience. And if that team is the Washington Wizards, there are additional benefits.
Atkinson and Jordan Poole worked closely for two seasons at Golden State. He knows Poole’s strengths and weaknesses better than any coach. That familiarity could help Poole blossom into the team leader the Wizards are hoping for.
Moreover, the Wizards are desperately seeking to build good habits and a winning culture in Washington. There is no better winning culture than the Warriors organization. If Atkinson can bring that mentality with him, he could be at the helm for the next great Wizards team. That is a win for both sides.
3 easily acquirable centers the Washington Wizards should consider trading for
The Washington Wizards need more center depth. These three big men are undervalued around the league and should be easily acquirable for the Wizards.