6. Terry Stotts
The 66-year-old was one of three finalists for the Lakers head coach opening when Darvin Ham got the job. Stotts played for the University of Oklahoma and overseas. He won an NBA championship with the Mavericks in 2011 as an assistant coach. Stotts has 13 years of head coaching experience and is one of the best veterans on the market. He had two-year stints in the lead chair with the Bucks and Hawks but found his most success with the Trail Blazers.
Stotts led Portland to the playoffs eight straight years, including making a trip to the conference finals in 2019. He won 55.8 percent of his regular-season games in Rip City, but the two sides mutually parted ways in 2021.
Stotts had a brief spell as an assistant for the Bucks this season but stepped down before opening night. It is unclear how much interest he has in returning to the sidelines next year.
It may be different if he can land a head coaching gig. There are not a ton of experienced candidates available, so expect Stotts to be brought up in several searches if he is showing interest in returning to the bench.
His quick departure in Milwaukee could make the Lakers and other teams hesitant. LA had a third finalist in 2022 who will likely also come back up in this year’s search.