In 2005, Canales was hired as a video intern for the
Portland Trail Blazers, and was eventually hired as the team's video coordinator. In 2009, he was promoted to an assistant coach for the team. In 2010, Canales served as the Trail Blazers' head coach during the
NBA Summer League. He was promoted to interim head coach of the Trail Blazers after head coach
Nate McMillan was dismissed on March 15, 2012. Canales became the youngest active head coach in the NBA and the first
Mexican-American coach in NBA history. In 2012, Portland hired
Terry Stotts as their head coach, but Canales remained with the team as an assistant. On May 3, 2013, Canales accepted an assistant coaching job with the
Dallas Mavericks. In 2018, Canales was hired as an assistant coach for the
New York Knicks under
David Fizdale. Canales remained with the team after Fizdale was fired in 2019 and worked under interim head coach
Mike Miller. On November 13, 2020, Canales was hired as an assistant coach by the
Indiana Pacers under
Nate Bjorkgren. On October 9, 2023, Canales was hired as an associate head coach for the
Texas Legends of the
NBA G League. ==Head coaching record==