After a disappointing 14-20 start to the 2020-21 NBA Season, the Atlanta Hawks fired head coach Lloyd Pierce. Assistant coach Nate McMillan was promoted to interim head coaching duties for the time being.
Being the interim head coach doesn’t guarantee that McMillan will be coaching the Hawks next season. However, BetOnline seems to think otherwise. The popular sportsbook has listed McMillan at +150 when it comes to being the next full-time head coach for the Hawks.
Some of the other possible candidates include Kenny Atkinson (+250), Mike D’Antoni (+500) and Mike Brown (+600).
Who Will Be the Next Atlanta Hawks Head Coach?
Odds via BetOnline as of Tuesday, March 2
- Nate McMillan +150
- Kenny Atkinson +250
- Jason Kidd +350
- Jarron Collins +450
- Mike D'Antoni +500
- Mike Brown +600
- Dave Joerger +750
- David Vanterpool +800
- Becky Hammon +900
- Alvin Gentry +1000
- Luke Walton +1200
McMillan the Top Candidate
As mentioned before, sportsbooks are leaning towards McMillan as the next full-time Hawks head coach. Depending on how he forms with the Hawks for the rest of the season, that would be the most logical option. As of March 2, the Hawks were only two games out of a playoff spot, so the season is far from lost. Besides, McMillan has proven to be a capable head coach. He has a 661-588 record in 1,249 NBA games. He’s also made it to the playoffs nine times in 16 seasons as a head coach.
If McMillan wants to turn the ship around, he needs to get Trae Young and John Collins producing like they were last season. Both of the Hawks’ young stars have seen their points per game decrease by three apiece from 2020 to 2021.
Could Kidd Be an NBA Head Coach Again?
When Jason Kidd was a player, he was one of the best point guards of his time. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the same success as an NBA head coach. In five seasons coaching the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, Kidd had a below .500 coaching record. He also had a 9-15 playoff record.
However, he has been a valuable assistant coach to the Los Angeles Lakers over the last two seasons. The Lakers defence has looked good under Kidd, especially in the NBA Bubble. Currently, the Hawks are allowing 113.1 points against per game. Kidd could help improve the Hawks’ defence if given the chance. At +350, he may have a shot at doing so.
Hammon Could Make History with the Hawks
According to BetOnline, Becky Hammon has a +900 chance of being the next head coach for the Hawks. If she ends up getting the job, she would be the first female head coach in NBA history. Hammon has already acted as head coach this season. On December 30, she filled in for Gregg Popovich after he was ejected against the Lakers.
The only thing that may stop Hammon from going to the Hawks is that she may have an opportunity to be the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs once Popovich retires. Now, there’s no indication of when he’ll call it quits. After all, Popovich is one of the top candidates to win the 2021 NBA Head Coach of the Year Award.
However, when Popovich does retire, Hammon will be the top candidate to replace him. She spent eight seasons playing for the San Antonio Stars in the WNBA and she’s been on the Spurs coaching staff since 2014. At the end of the day, it may make more sense for Hammon to wait things out in San Antonio.
