NBA Coach of the Year Bets for 2020-2021: The race – if you can call it that – for Coach of the Year Futures picks doesn’t quite have the sizzle of MVP or Rookie of the Year. In the world of awards, sure, COY is respected by those previously honored, but we don’t spend all season debating candidates and frontrunners.
Still, it’s founded on team success/improvement, and that’s where the fun comes in. This season’s crop of COY favorites, as pegged by PointsBet, includes plenty of usual suspects — skippers whose clubs have experienced plenty of playoff highs.
The list also has a few newcomers and others ready to crash the postseason party.
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NBA Coach of the Year Bets
Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics (+900)
The Celtics begin this season with Gordon Hayward gone to Charlotte and nwe arrival Kemba Walker (knee) on the shelf, yet Stevens is the favorite.
Boston is now truly Jayson Tatum’s team. Walker, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart provide the nucleus of a squad that should contend for the Eastern Conference crown under the direction of Stevens, who’s considered on the game’s most innovative minds.
Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat (+1200)
Can’t say enough of the job Spoelstra has done over the years. Long after emerging from Pat Riley’s shadow and the four consecutive trips to the Finals with the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh trio, the Heat are back in the spotlight.
Spoelstra’s steady hand is a big reason why, as he’s molded a hardworking group led by Jimmy Butler, recently maxed-out Bam Adebayo and fearless younglings like Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn.
Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers (+1400)
Just when it seemed Doc was a Clipper for life, the hammer dropped after another playoff collapse.
Not to worry: The suitors for Rivers lined up in a hurry, with Philly winning out.
The reasons to move to the other coast were obvious: Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. The Sixers brought in some much-needed shooting in Seth Curry and Danny Green, but adding a championship-caliber coach in Rivers may be the difference for a franchise that’s underachieved despite top-shelf talent.
Frank Vogel, Los Angeles Lakers (+1400)
Gotta give some love to the coach of the world champs. Vogel may not get his deserved kudos by the casual observer, and his profile is certainly B-list compared to many of his colleagues around the Association.
However, you can’t ignore his defense-first philosophy and ability to blend dominant personalities. Vogel rightfully allowed LeBron James to be LeBron, which should be Job 1 for any coach.
Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks (+1400)
In NBA coaching circles, few squeeze as much out of their teams as Carlisle does. If he’s armed with talent, then it becomes dangerous for everyone else.
The Mavs have a true singular force in Luka Doncic, a future MVP and one of the league’s premier stars. Luka makes everyone around him better.
When that supporting group includes near-superstar Kristaps Porzingis and defensive standout Josh Richardson, Dallas could move into the West’s top four.
Stan Van Gundy, New Orleans Pelicans (+1400)
Somewhat of a surprise hire at first, Van Gundy makes sense, considering his ability to develop talent and introduce a lunchpail work ethic.
Zion Williamson, last year’s top NBA Draft pick, is brimming with both, and he’s finally being turned loose to play without physical constraints. The Pels have reshaped their roster, namely with Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams, giving the squad a hard-nose edge in the minefield that is the West.
Should New Orleans sneak into a playoff spot, Van Gundy will be recognized.
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors (+1500)
No other coach started his career with five straight trips to the Finals, so when the Warriors sunk into the lottery after an injury-wrecked campaign, Kerr quickly adapted and made the most of it.
He focused on player development. Now that the Warriors are playoff contenders again, expect Kerr to navigate the season with a steady hand and with an understanding of what’s best for his players.
BEST BET: Doc Rivers, 76ers
ART’s SLEEPER: Monty Williams, Phoenix Suns (+1600)
The darlings of the NBA Orlando Bubble (8-0) run it back with Chris Paul running the point, giving the Suns a coach on the floor to pair with Monty on the sidelines. Looks like this could the year Devin Booker experiences the postseason for the first time.
Get ready for 2020-2021 NBA fantasy basketball & betting
After you finish examining our NBA Coach of the Year Bets and decide on your Coach of the Year Futures picks for the 2020-2021 season:
- Read our full NBA tips for fantasy basketball and basketball betting.
- Head over to our preferred sportsbooks, including PointsBet and SugarHouse NJ.
- Play daily fantasy basketball at Monkey Knife Fight.
