Following Steve Nash's departure from the Brooklyn Nets just seven games into the season, there's been no other movement on the sidelines from NBA teams.
This doesn't mean some seats aren't beginning to heat up, though.
Whether those seats belong to coaches from teams that have woefully underperformed this season or ones from rebuilding squads that simply haven't shown enough growth, job security can be tough to come by in the NBA.
The following five coaches should be feeling the most pressure as we finish out the rest of the 2022-23 regular season, and they may need a strong final 30 games to keep their jobs for next year.
Honorable Mentions: Steve Clifford, Charlotte Hornets; Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks
Nate McMillan, Atlanta Hawks
Current Record/Standing: 26-26, 8th in the East
Overall Record with Hawks: 96-76 since 2020-21
After winning 43 games last season and then adding All-Star guard Dejounte Murray via trade, the Hawks were supposed to be a lock to make the East playoffs this season.
Instead, McMillan's squad finds itself below last year's pace, playing .500 basketball into February.
An offense that ranked second (115.4 rating) without Murray last season has now fallen to 14th (113.5 rating), while Atlanta's defense continues to fall in the bottom third of the league.
There was a report that McMillan was actually considering the possibility of resigning during the season, with the Athletic's Shams Charania writing:
"McMillan's job status came into question across the NBA after his exchange with Hawks All-NBA star Trae Young at a gameday shootaround. His job status has been considered safe, and the Hawks have wanted to finish out the season with McMillan on the sideline, sources said. But McMillan, 58, appears to be near the end of his tenure with the Hawks after the season—unless there's a resignation before then."
McMillan has since denied the report, although he stated that he would consider retirement after the season concludes. McMillan's projected confidence in his current job hasn't led to a spark in the team, however, as the Hawks remain in the East play-in tournament despite possessing a talent-rich roster led by Young, Murray, De'Andre Hunter, John Collins, Clint Capela and others.
If Atlanta misses the playoffs or is bounced in the first round again, the Hawks may want to find a new coach—one that can keep Young happy.
