The Pelicans are searching for a new head coach after the team decided to move on from Alvin Gentry after five seasons and just one postseason appearance. Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin says he’ll take his time in finding Gentry’s replacement.
“For the most part, all of the candidates that you may want to talk to are still with teams (still in the playoffs) in many circumstances,” said Griffin. “The virus is going to dictate some of our timeline. This isn’t going to be done solely via Zoom, so depending upon when we can really sit down and get to know one another, we’ll have more updates from then on.”
The Pelicans’ job should an attractive one. The roster features a potential superstar in Zion Williamson, an all-star in Brandon Ingram, and one of the better two-way guards in the league in Jrue Holiday. Griffin knows he has a big decision in front of him.
“I would tell you that hiring a coach is the hardest thing we do from a front office perspective because it impacts every single part of your organization and it has the biggest impact every day on your players and the culture that you are trying to build,” said Griffin. “It’s a very big job, it’s a difficult job, so finding the right person is going to be a very thorough, mindful process on the part of everyone.”
Host of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison, says a former head coach in Cleveland will likely get an interview.
“The signs point to Tyronn Lue former Cavaliers head coach, who won a title with Lebron James there, who worked under David Griffin is likely the front runner for this job, but there’s a number of young assistant coaches that are up and comers, who all look primed to take head coaching jobs here as well, and I wouldn’t rule out names like that as well, a guy like Darvin Ham with the Milwaukee Bucks,” said Madison.
Madison says Griffin will also look to make some changes with the roster during the offseason.
“He’ll take a long hard look at Lonzo Ball and try to figure out if he’s the point guard of the future,” said Madison. “Look for them to look at a guy like Derrick Favors and make a decision if they want to re-sign him and bring him back next year.”
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