NBA Head Coach Rankings: Chauncey Billups plummets after Blazers' season

It's challenging to rank head coaches in the NBA. A few coaches, like San Antonio Spurs' Gregg Popovich, stand out amongst the rest. But it's hard to separate the coach from the roster they are given. Coaches are often scapegoats in the NBA; when things aren't going well, it's their responsibility to right the ship. But when the team wins, most of the credit is given to the players.

That's the case with Blazers' head coach Chauncey Billups, who is on the hot seat for the upcoming season after their 21-61 finish last year, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic (subscription required).

Ranking all 30 NBA head coaches for 2024-25 season

1. Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs

2. Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat

3. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors

4. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder

5. Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets

6. Michael Malone, Denver Nuggets

7. Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers

8. Tyronn Lue, Los Angeles Clippers

9. Quin Snyder, Atlanta Hawks

10. Jamahl Mosely, Orlando Magic

11. Will Hardy, Utah Jazz

12. Tom Thibodeau, New York Knicks

13. Joe Mazzula, Boston Celtics

14. Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers

15. Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves

16. Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies

17. Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks

18. Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings

19. JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers

20. Mike Budenholzer, Phoenix Suns

21. Willie Green, New Orleans Pelicans

22. Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers

23. Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks

24. Charles Lee, Charlotte Hornets

25. J. B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons

26. Darko Rajaković, Toronto Raptors

27. Jordi Fernández, Brooklyn Nets

28. Chauncey Billups, Portland Trail Blazers

29. Brian Keefe, Washington Wizards

30. Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls

Does Chauncey Billups deserve to be on the hot seat?

Billups is on the hot seat in Portland, but is it justified? A legendary coach like Popovich could better maximize the talent of the Blazers' young roster than Billups. But regardless of who coaches from the bench, this Portland roster doesn't have enough talent to compete for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. There's a disconnect between the Blazers' rebuilding timeline and the expectations set for Billups.

Rip City has a half-baked roster as they continue to accumulate assets. Donovan Clingan, selected No. 7 overall, is looking like a steal. But the Blazers picking him and having four centers on their roster is a prime example of how they are looking to get the best available players with no intention of figuring out how to put together the optimal lineup to win immediately.