NBA Coach of the Year 2025-26 Season: Latest Power Rankings ft. JJ Redick and His Former HC (Nov. 3)

The 2025-26 NBA season is less than a month in, but early trends are already shaping fans’ predictions for end-of-season awards. Perhaps the most unpredictable so far, however, is the Coach of the Year race.

Last season, we correctly predicted Kenny Atkinson to win the award after topping the weekly rankings the most times. But a new season means a new slate.

Here are the top five candidates for this year’s NBA Coach of the Year.

NBA Coach of the Year Power Rankings

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Honorable Mention: Tiago Splitter

The Portland Trail Blazers made early headlines this season when head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested for illegal gambling, leading to an NBA suspension. Assistant coach Tiago Splitter has since stepped in as interim head coach.

Under Splitter, the Blazers have impressed: They’re 4-1 with a top-10 offense and top-five defense. Unfortunately for him, Splitter is ineligible for Coach of the Year unless promoted to full-time head coach, since wins under interim coaches don’t officially count toward the award.

#5. Nick Nurse and JJ Redick (tie)

We open the list with a tie between two coaches whose teams have thrived despite dealing with injuries to their top stars.

Nick Nurse’s Philadelphia 76ers hold an Eastern Conference–best 5-1 record, even with Joel Embiid limited, Paul George yet to suit up and sophomore Jared McCain sidelined. The Sixers rank fifth in net rating and boast key wins over the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic.

Meanwhile, JJ Redick’s LA Lakers have posted similar resilience, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves twice and riding a three-game winning streak capped by a win over the Miami Heat on Sunday.

Though Luka Doncic has already missed three games (with the Lakers going 2-1 without him) and LeBron James has yet to make his season debut, Redick has shown the flexibility to get the most out of his roster. Austin Reaves has especially stood out in their early success -- proof that the Lakers can thrive even without their top two stars.

But one of the coaches outshining him so far has been his former mentor.

#4. Doc Rivers

Say what you will about Doc Rivers -- he’s had postseason letdowns, but when expectations are low, he often exceeds them.

This season, the Milwaukee Bucks entered with modest expectations after offseason roster changes, but Rivers has maximized their potential. He deserves credit for Ryan Rollins’ breakout year, as the young guard has become the Robin to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Batman, averaging 18.2 points, 5.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

Under Rivers’ guidance, the Bucks lead the league in field-goal percentage (52.5%) and rank third in 3-point shooting (40.6%) -- both of which are proof of his tactical influence.

#3. Mitch Johnson

What many thought would be a short-term fill-in for the legendary Gregg Popovich has instead turned into an early success story.

Mitch Johnson’s San Antonio Spurs dropped their first game on Sunday but have otherwise displayed noticeable growth and competitiveness.

At 5-1, the Spurs hold the eighth-best defensive rating, anchored by Victor Wembanyama, and rank among the league’s top rebounding teams. Even without full roster health, Johnson’s leadership has guided the Spurs to strong early results.

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#2. Billy Donovan

The Chicago Bulls appear rejuvenated this season, and much of the credit goes to newly inducted Hall of Famer Billy Donovan.

Donovan has unlocked the potential of former Thunder guard Josh Giddey, who’s on pace for his first All-Star selection, alongside a well-balanced mix of young talents and veterans -- Nikola Vucevic, Ayo Dosunmu, Matas Buzelis, Kevin Huerter and Tre Jones -- all averaging double figures.

The Bulls rank fifth in offensive rating and lead the NBA with 30.2 assists per game, proof of how Donovan has transformed their ball movement and chemistry under Giddey’s direction.

Chicago remains one of the season’s biggest surprises, showing tremendous upside despite suffering their first loss over the weekend..

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#1. Mark Daigneault

Defending champions often start the regular season sluggish. But not Mark Daigneault’s OKC Thunder.

Known for his “0-0 mentality,” Daigneault has guided the Thunder to a 7-0 start, even with Jalen Williams yet to play a minute and Chet Holmgren missing the last three games.

They’ve survived two double-overtime battles and produced dominant blowout wins, showing the depth and discipline of a championship team. Sophomore Ajay Mitchell has stepped up with a breakout campaign, and OKC has maintained both the league’s best defensive rating and top net rating.

Despite early injuries, Daigneault has kept the Thunder sharp and motivated -- earning him the No. 1 spot in our inaugural Coach of the Year rankings.

Edited by John Ezekiel Hirro