The Oklahoma City Thunder are putting together a list of coaching candidates. Thunder’s coaching candidates will have to reflect the direction that this franchise is going. Which is a rebuild. These are my Thunder’s coaching candidates. The First candidate for the Thunder’s coaching job is Jerry Stackhouse. This idea comes from Rylan Stiles from the Locked on Thunder podcast. And personally I would like to see this come to fruition. Jerry Stackhouse, who was an incredible shooter and NBA player, would be a great candidate. As well as an incredible archive of NBA knowledge that could really help young players. For example, Stackhouse has NBA experience with the Toronto Raptors G League team. So he can develop talent like Pascal Siakam. Moreover, he currently coaches at Vanderbilt University. So he has plenty of experience with young talent. He knows how to mold young talent. And would be an excellent coaching candidate.
Another name that is floating around in NBA circles is Becky Hammon. The Thunder could be progressive and hire the first woman NBA head coach. Becky Hammon has experience with San Antonio under the Gregg Popovich coaching tree. In San Antonio, she has been at Popovich’s assistant coach since 2014. Where she has coached the Spurs in time outs and ran drills during practices. She has definitely earned the respect from all players. Hammon has also played the game as well. Becky was a point guard in WNBA and professional league from 1999-2014
The third candidate for the head coaching job is Wes Unseld Jr. I like this nominee because Wes Unseld Jr has done his time as an assistant coach. And under Mike Malone, he has helped develop players like Jokic and Jamal Murray. So he has plenty of knowledge and proficiency in player development. Moreover, Wes Unseld was a professional scout for the Washington Wizards, right out of college. So he can identify talent. Then he moved onto Golden State and Orlando respectively, before settling in with Malone.
In conclusion, the Thunder should consider these coaching candidates for their head coaching vacancy. All of these nominees would be excellent coaches. Moreover, they would excel at developing young talent.
Lastly, the Oklahoma City Thunder could go with the assistant coach Maurice Cheeks. Cheeks were Billy Donovan’s assistant at the University of Florida. And made the move to the NBA when the Thunder hired Donovan. He has experience with college kids and so a rebuild would not be that bad.
