NBA Coach of the Year (COY) rankings 2024-25: Longtime top 5 leader reclaims throne in Week 7 ft. Jason Kidd

Week 7 of the 2024-25 NBA season is officially in the books! The Emirates NBA Cup is reaching its climax, and plenty of intriguing narratives have unfolded. The Cleveland Cavaliers have rebounded from their roughest week of the season, while the Memphis Grizzlies have climbed to second place in the Western Conference behind the OKC Thunder.

Which of the former coaches in this list returns to the top spot after falling last week? Let’s dive into the leading candidates for Coach of the Year as Week 7 wraps up.

Top five NBA Coach of the Year candidates after Week 7

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#5 Jason Kidd (Last week’s ranking: Unranked)

Jason Kidd - Source: Imagn

Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks makes his first appearance in the rankings this season (even as Chris Paul surpassed him for No. 2 all-time on the NBA’s assists leaderboard).

Kidd led the Mavericks to an undefeated 4-0 week. Although three of those wins came against rebuilding teams, his ability to keep the Mavs competitive despite injuries earns him the No. 5 spot this week.

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#4 Ime Udoka (Last week’s ranking: #1)

Ime Udoka - Source: Imagn

After a fantastic Week 6 that saw the Houston Rockets defeat teams like the Thunder, Timberwolves and 76ers, Ime Udoka’s squad struggled in Week 7, going 1-2 during a tough Pacific Division road trip.

Despite this, the Rockets remain third in the Western Conference, and Udoka’s earlier success keeps him in the top five this week.

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#3 Joe Mazzulla (Last week’s ranking: #3)

Joe Mazzulla - Source: Imagn

After a fantastic Week 6 that saw the Houston Rockets defeat teams like the Thunder, Timberwolves and 76ers, Ime Udoka’s squad struggled in Week 7, going 1-2 during a tough Pacific Division road trip. Despite this, the Rockets remain third in the Western Conference, and Udoka’s earlier success keeps him in the top five this week.

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#2 Mark Daigneault (Last week’s ranking: #4)

Mark Daigneault - Source: Imagn

Mark Daigneault’s OKC Thunder have weathered significant injuries, starting the season without key players like Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams, before losing Chet Holmgren, their defensive anchor.

Despite these challenges, Daigneault’s Thunder went unbeaten in Week 7, dispatching the Jazz, Raptors and Pelicans with double-digit victories. The Thunder lead the NBA in both defensive and net ratings, a testament to Daigneault’s coaching brilliance.

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#1 Kenny Atkinson (Last week’s ranking: #2)

Kenny Atkinson - Source: Imagn

Welcome back to the top, Kenny Atkinson!

Atkinson, who lost his No. 1 spot in Week 6 after a disappointing 1-2 stretch, saw his Cleveland Cavaliers bounce back in Week 7. The Cavs went 2-1, with their lone loss coming on the second night of a road back-to-back against the Miami Heat.

While other top contenders faltered, Atkinson’s steady performance was enough to return him to the No. 1 position.