2016-17 NBA Betting: Which Head Coach Will Be Fired First?

2016-17 NBA Betting: Which Head Coach Will Be Fired First?

Exactly one week after the NBA season opened, Bovada posted odds on which NBA head coach will be fired first. Last year, the Houston Rockets quickly dismissed head coach Kevin McHale after a 4-7 start, and oddsmakers thought it was conceivable that a team would once again part ways with their coach at the beginning of the 2016-17 season. After several months of action, there haven’t been any firings, but another sportsbook has posted odds on the first coach to get the ax.

On Sunday, February 26th, Bookmaker posted odds on the first head coach to be fired. Portland’s Terry Stotts, who’s team has regressed substantially after last year’s surprising fifth-place season, is firmly on the hot seat. Stotts re-opened as the +400 favorite to be the first head coach fired, even though he wasn’t listed as a candidate by Bovada back in November. Chicago’s Fred Hoiberg, who opened as the +225 favorite months ago,

The table below displays the latest odds at Bovada and Bookmaker.

In 2015-16, Hoiberg’s first year with the team, Chicago finished 42-40 and missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2007-08 season. This summer the Bulls completely overhauled their roster. by acquiring Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, and Brook Lopez, while moving on from Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, and Pau Gasol.

The team constructed a roster that contradicts the NBA’s “pace and space” style, which is built off having superior 3-point shooting and versatile defenders. Hoiberg’s Bulls might have gone 30-29 this season, but there have been several off-court issues and the front office seems unsure whether they should continue to build around Jimmy Butler or trade away their franchise cornerstone.

Despite losing four of five starters before the 2015-16 season — including All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge — the Blazers went 44-38 and grabbed the fifth spot in the Western Conference playoffs. This year the Blazers have struggled, going just 24-34. This collapse has placed head coach Terry Stotts firmly on the hot seat.

It’s also interesting to note that shortly after these odds re-opened, Alvin Gentry’s odds of being the first head coach fired jumped from +600 to +250. The New Orleans Pelicans went 30-52 in Gentry’s first season, and they’ve gone just 23-37 this season. The team acquired DeMarcus Cousins to play alongside Anthony Davis, and it’s worth speculating about whether the front office wants to hire a new coach that can best utilize the two big men.

For the latest odds, public betting trends, injuries, and futures make sure to visit our free NBA odds page.

Who you think will be the first coach fired? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below?

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