Indiana Has Let Him Go
This ranks amongst the most shocking developments of the 2015-16 NBA season. Despite leading the Indiana Pacers out of the depths of obscurity and into the limelight, Frank Vogel may lose his job.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Vogel’s contract expires in June, and Indiana has yet to discuss a contract extension with him.
Sources: Indiana coach Frank Vogel's contract expires at season's end and so far there's been no discussion of a contract extension.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 2, 2016
Wojnarowski continued by stating that Vogel will be coveted by a number of teams across the NBA:
Vogel would have intense appeal on the market. He could be patient with choosing a new job -- if he doesn't return to Indiana.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 2, 2016
UPDATE: the Pacers have officially announced that Vogel will not be returning to Indiana.
BREAKING: Larry Bird announces Frank Vogel is out as Pacers coach. pic.twitter.com/aV7XpqDPdZ
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) May 5, 2016
The New York Knicks need to be the team to give Vogel his next job.
Over the course of his six seasons with the Pacers, Vogel accumulated a record of 250-181, which is good for a win percentage of .580. That equates to an average of roughly 48 victories per season.
Subtract the 2014-15 campaign, during which franchise player Paul George missed all but six games and Indiana still nearly made the playoffs, and Vogel has a win percentage of .607—an average of roughly 50 wins per season.
Vogel also has two Eastern Conference Finals appearances and a 56-win season under his belt.
George is one of the best players in the NBA, but Indiana hasn’t exactly been a haven for elite talent. Instead, the Pacers have won games on the strength of their effort, defensive consistency, and coaching.
If those three traits are brought to New York, the Knicks could be contending much sooner than later.
Next: Elite Defense