NBA 100: Ranking the Top Five Coaches for 2025–26

Rick Carlisle has shifted into the next phase of his career putting him at the top of the list, while champions round out the best of the best.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle led his team to the NBA Finals and a 50-win season in 2024–25. / Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Sports Illustrated’s NBA 100 ranking is back ahead of the 2025–26 season. Along with the top 100 NBA players, we also ranked the top five coaches below.

FULL RANKINGS: Nos. 100–51, Nos. 50–11 and Nos. 10-1. Top Five Rookies and Coaches.

1. Rick Carlisle, Pacers

In 2011, he guided the Mavericks to a title behind Dirk Nowitzki’s half-court game. Last season Indiana and its free-flowing offense came within one win of a second championship for Carlisle. That’s adaptability.

2. Erik Spoelstra, Heat

Spo’s Heat have had top 10 defenses in 13 of his 17 seasons—and in two others they finished 11th. He is widely admired for his creativity and play-calling in big moments. No coach squeezes more out of less. 

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3. Mark Daigneault, Thunder

Daigneault has two coveted skills: player development (see Oklahoma City’s early years) and game management (see its later ones). No wonder he has a title and complete buy-in from a roster loaded with young talent. 

4. Tyronn Lue, Clippers

The superstar whisperer has forged fruitful partnerships with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland and Kawhi Leonard and James Harden in L.A. And Lue has shown a knack for coaching through adversity. 

5. Ime Udoka, Rockets

After steering Boston to the 2022 NBA Finals, Udoka generated a 19-win improvement and then a 52-win season in his first two years in Houston. Players love his blunt, no-nonsense approach. 

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