Prediction: Where Will Quin Snyder Coach Next?

SALT LAKE CITY – Quin Snyder resigned from the Utah Jazz on Sunday and within hours, the rumor mill began about where the coveted coach will end up next.

Snyder led the Jazz to six consecutive playoff appearances, including three-first round series victories, two of which came as the lower-seeded team.

Jazz CEO Danny Ainge indicated that Snyder will be coaching in the NBA again in the 2022-23 season, while ESPN reported the team can block the coach’s ability to work anywhere else this upcoming season due to the terms of his contract.

Because Quin Snyder had a guaranteed year remaining on his contract, the Jazz would have the right to block him from coaching next season, a source told ESPN. https://t.co/o7CdyuobjU

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) June 6, 2022

When he does return, where is Snyder most likely to end up next? Here’s a list of possible landing spots for the former Jazz coach.

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are the team Snyder was most closely linked to during his time in Utah as reports emerged that he was the internal favorite to replace Gregg Popovich when the Hall of Famer steps down.

Snyder coached San Antonio’s G League affiliate the Austin Toros for three seasons before jumping into the NBA scene and has strong relationships with the Spurs organization.

Per Marc Stein, the @spurs could be interested in @utahjazz head coach Quin Snyder when Gregg Popovich retires. #TakeNote https://t.co/PGke7LAHgY

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 14, 2022

Popovich has not indicated when he plans to retire, but many believe the 2022-23 season will be his last, and Snyder would be a top target to replace the legendary coach.

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks were one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA last season when after making a run to the conference finals in 2021, limped into the play-in tournament in 2022 before a first-round exit.

Coach Nate McMillan seemed to have the magic touch with the Hawks in their deep playoff run but quickly saw his fortunes change in his first full season overseeing the team.

Congratulations to Quin Snyder on being named head coach of the @utahjazz! pic.twitter.com/7wCzEM2HJ9

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 7, 2014

The Hawks are looking to make major roster changes this summer, and if that isn’t enough for McMillan to turn the team around, Atlanta will likely be looking for his replacement next season.

Snyder served as an assistant in Atlanta under Mike Budenholzer before taking the Jazz job and has ties to Vice-Chair of the Board Grant Hill through Duke.

Brooklyn Nets

Like Atlanta, the Brooklyn Nets were a major disappointment last season, getting swept by the Boston Celtics in the opening round of the playoffs.

Head Coach Steve Nash made changes to his staff this summer, including hiring former Snyder assistant Igor Kokoskov to add more experience to the third-year coach’s bench.

Nets to add Mavericks' Igor Kokoskov to coaching staff https://t.co/9yPNFYwsWf pic.twitter.com/k77t7TInZo

— New York Post (@nypost) June 5, 2022

With Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Ben Simmons on the roster, there is enormous pressure on Nash to win this season, or the Nets will likely look to make a change next summer, and Snyder would be an obvious target for Brooklyn.

New York Knicks

Following an impressive campaign in 2020-21, the New York Knicks fell flat last season missing the playoffs entirely after hosting an opening-round playoff series two seasons ago.

Tom Thibodeau will be back with the Knicks next season but another bad regular season to send the organization on a search for a new head coach.

With the addition of Johnnie Bryant, who has worked closely with Donovan Mitchell, I think we can put to rest any doubt on IF the Knicks will try to court Mitchell in the future. https://t.co/g3Y2rfRDUS

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) August 18, 2020

The Knicks have been a shaky franchise for most of the 21st century, but have looked to stabilize the ship in recent years by hiring Walt Perrin and Johnnie Bryant away from the Jazz.

Bringing in the coach that developed Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert into perennial All-Stars would be intriguing for a roster that features RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.

Las Vegas Or Seattle Expansion Franchise

The NBA is expected to add two teams in the near future and could announce its plans to expand as soon as next summer.

That could mean the two teams would make their debuts in 2024 and would have to begin building their front offices and coaching staffs when Snyder becomes a coaching free agent next year.

Adam Silver on NBA expansion: 'Seattle will no doubt be on a short list of cities'https://t.co/Plz6FeRi2K pic.twitter.com/altNyjGmWb

— CBS Sports NBA (@CBSSportsNBA) July 26, 2017

If it’s greater control within an organization Snyder is looking for, there may be no better landing spot than with an expansion franchise, and an opportunity to return to Seattle if it were awarded a team could be intriguing.

My Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers

Looking at the jobs that could become available in 2023, there’s a strong case to be made that the Philadelphia 76ers would be Snyder’s best opportunity.

Doc Rivers has done a fine job in Philly, but the 76ers haven’t made it past the second round in their last five trips to the postseason. If the 76ers were to come up short once again next season, they may be looking for a new voice to push the team over the hump.

Daryl Morey announces Doc Rivers will return as HC of the Sixers next season pic.twitter.com/G7UzL67Vnq

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 13, 2022

Snyder previously served as an assistant coach under Doug Collins with the 76ers during the 2010-11 season and knows how to build a system around a dominant defensive big man like Joel Embiid.

Mix in Snyder’s ability to create stellar spacing for shooters, his past praise for James Harden, and the chance to develop Tyrese Maxey into Philly’s next star, the opportunity to call the shots for the 76ers might be too good to pass up.

Each team that checks in on Snyder’s interest next summer will have something unique to offer, but the combination of top-five talent, an all-star supporting cast, and opportunities to develop young pieces might make Philadelphia an ideal landing spot.

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