The Indiana Pacers have finally relieved Nate McMillan of his responsibilities as the head coach. McMillan has been a part of the Pacers franchise for 7 season, serving as head coach for four seasons. He joined the team as Frank Vogel’s assistant in 2013, but graduated to becoming the head coach by 2016.
The Pacers organization released a statement to NBA.com regarding the release. “On behalf of the Simon family and the Pacers organization, I’d like to thank Nate for his years with the team,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “This was a very hard decision for us to make; but we feel it’s in the best interest of the organization to move in a different direction. Nate and I have been through the good times and the bad times; and it was an honor to work with him for those 11 years (in Indiana and Portland)
McMillan led the team to the playoffs in each season, but only won 3 games in his entire team with the team. They have been eliminated in the first round every single season, including this year after being swept by the Miami Heat.
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Pacers have fired coach Nate McMillan.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 26, 2020
The Pacers have fired coach Nate McMillan in the wake of Miami sweeping Indiana in the first round. Just 14 days ago, the team announced it was giving him a contract extension. pic.twitter.com/8XVBmio9Yr
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) August 26, 2020
Indiana Pacers looking for a new coach
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With a lot of teams looking for coaches, Indiana will join the hunt. The team is stuck in the middle of a rebuilding process and a contending process. They have solid stars in Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, Victor Oladipo, Malcolm Brogdon and recent bubble breakout, T.J. Warren. However, this team is not nearly loaded enough to tackle the top of the Eastern Conference.
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The Pacers will need a really good coach if they want to keep contending with this core, as Indiana has never been a major free agent destination. A coach like Kenny Atkinson could fit the team perfectly, even though he was released by the Brooklyn Nets earlier. Assistant coaches like Ty Lue and Jason Kidd in LA are also solid choices. Even Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni will be on the coaching market soon.
Moving on from McMillan was a hard decision, however it was the decision that they needed to make. The franchise is in need of change, and a new head coach could be the perfect way to reignite the underdog fire of the Pacers.
