Teams Considered More Likely To Retain Coaching Staffs Due To COVID-19 Financial Concerns

Teams may be more likely to retain their coaching staffs this offseason due to the financial issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to several league executives.

Teams that fire coaches with remaining seasons on their contracts would have to fulfill those financial obligations and then hire and pay new coaching staffs.

On March 9th, two days before the suspension of the season, Zach Lowe suggested there could be anywhere between nine and 13 head coaching vacancies this offseason. 

The Brooklyn Nets fired Kenny Atkinson in early March, while David Fizdale was fired by the New York Knicks in December. The Cleveland Cavaliers also parted ways with John Beilein in February, but J.B. Bickerstaff has already been hired on a permanent basis.