For the first time since 1996, Gregg Popovich will not open the season as the Spurs' head coach. Michael Malone was fired with just three games remaining in 2024-25 during his 10th year with the Nuggets. Taylor Jenkins received the same treatment last season with nine games left in his sixth year with the Grizzlies. Tom Thibodeau was fired after five years as the head coach of the Knicks.
These head coaching changes have helped to allow Timberwolves coach Chris Finch to be one of the most tenured head coaches in the NBA.
Only five head coaches have been with their team longer than Chris Finch
On February 22, 2021, Minnesota hired Finch to become their 14th head coach in franchise history.