For years, Quin Snyder has been one of the brightest minds among the NBA coaching ranks. A tactician with expertise on both sides of the ball, his 2023 hire by the Atlanta Hawks was among the savviest decisions in recent NBA offseasons.
Three seasons later, and the Hawks have assembled an impressive roster around their veteran head coach. General manager Onsi Saleh swung for the fences this past offseason, acquiring pieces that fit around star Trae Young. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzingis were the centerpieces of that activity, signifying an urgency to win in the ATL.
Snyder has a history of getting the most out of slept-on teams, as well. His eight-year run as the head coach of the Utah Jazz featured six playoff appearances, three playoff series wins, and the Western Conference’s top regular season record in 2020-21.
Without a cornerstone, top-ten player in the league, Snyder was able to achieve more than most other franchises in a stacked West. Donovan Mitchell blossomed from a promising lottery pick to a can’t-miss player leading a contender. Rudy Gobert came out of nowhere to become one of the best defensive big men in basketball.
Armed with a similar crop of young talent and promise, Snyder takes aim at a breakthrough year with Atlanta in 2025-26.
Quin Snyder is among the NBA Coach of the Year favorites
Snyder sits at +650 betting odds to win the award, per FanDuel. That places him just behind Jamahl Mosley of the Orlando Magic (+600) and in front of JB Bickerstaff (Pistons, +1000) and Mike Brown (Knicks, +1000).
Orlando upgraded their roster as well (see: the Desmond Bane trade in June), and the other favorites also sit in a wide-open Eastern Conference that could see a major shakeup.
The Milwaukee Bucks are teetering on being a contender with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Cleveland hasn’t broken through the conference since LeBron James left town. New York possesses an excellent roster, but has a brand-new head coach. Boston and Indiana sit in “gap years” without Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton. Young teams like Detroit and Orlando are gearing up.