Pistons, Cavs, Sixers Search For New Coaches

While 16 teams are gearing up for the 2013 NBA Playoffs, three teams will be searching for new head coaches.

On Thursday, the Detroit Pistons fired Lawrence Frank, the Cleveland Cavaliers cut ties with Byron Scott, and the Philadelphia 76ers will look to replace Doug Collins, who announced his retirement from coaching.

All three teams finished with under .500 records, and none of the coaching moves was considered much of a surprise. The Pistons and Cavs failed to reach 30 wins for the season, while the Sixers finished four games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

There are a number of potential coaches to fill the vacancies. Stan Van Gundy, who helped guide the Orlando Magic to the NBA Finals in 2009, is expected to be a top candidate for a new coaching position next season.

Other possible former head coaches who could generate interest include Avery Johnson, Kurt Rambis, Mike Dunleavy, Jim O'Brien, Alvin Gentry, and Mike Brown.

Some NBA teams may consider hiring an up-and-coming assistant. Longtime San Antonio Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer is regarded as a top candidate for a head coaching position. Budenholzer has been an assistant with San Antonio since 1996, serving under the esteemed Gregg Popovich.

Brian Shaw is another assistant coach expected to draw interest. The current Indiana Pacers assistant had spent several seasons working under Phil Jackson, who has 11 championship titles as head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.