Nearly two months into the 2025-26 NBA season, the standings in both conferences are starting to take shape. For some of the teams at the bottom, the job security of their head coaches is becoming a focal point, and two veteran bosses are on the hottest seats in the league heading into the new calendar year.
Which NBA Coach Is Most Likely To Be Fired Next?
Doc Rivers and Tyronn Lue have overseen two of the more disappointing teams so far this season. The Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers have both failed to live up to expectations early on, which has caused fans and pundits to wonder about each of their futures on their respective cities.
Rivers’ job was to right the ship and push Milwaukee deep into the playoffs. Instead, the results have been mixed at best. In his first season and a half on the job, Rivers led the Bucks to a 65-53 record, and his team was bounced in the first round of the playoffs in each of their appearances. As of mid-December 2025, the Bucks sit 11-16 under their current head coach, reflecting struggles on both ends of the floor and a roster overhaul that hasn’t yet produced consistency.
NBA insiders have labeled Rivers as on the hot seat, especially amidst the current turmoil surrounding the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation. The oddsmakers at the sportsbooks agree, as BetOnline has him listed as the favorite to be the next NBA coach fired, with a designation of +100.
Doc Rivers, Tyronn Lue Are The Betting Favorites
On the West Coast, Tyronn Lue’s situation with the Los Angeles Clippers also bears watching. Entering the 2025-26 season with a long-term contract and a reputation as one of the better coaches in the league, Lue’s Clippers have struggled mightily, posting a disappointing 6-19 record as of December 15th.
Internal discord came to a head when veteran Chris Paul’s brief return ended abruptly amid clashes with the organization and reported tension with Lue. That episode, widely covered in recent reporting, has raised questions about locker room harmony and leadership.
Fan sentiment has turned critical, with many arguing that Lue’s offense lacks identity and that the aging roster has underachieved relative to talent. While online reaction shouldn’t be taken as gospel, it often mirrors real pressure in big markets like Los Angeles.
Because of the chatter, Lue is listed second on BetOnline’s list. He carries a +200 designation of being the next head coach fired.
While both teams are disappointments, Lue may have a bit of a longer leash. He has been with the Clippers since 2020, and he is less than two years removed from signing an extension that lasts through the 2028-29 campaign. Rivers has one year left on his deal after 2025-26, making a firing a bit more palatable from a financial standpoint.
