The New Orleans Pelicans have been heavily involved in recent trade rumors, including two of their best guards in Jrue Holiday and JJ Redick. Yet sources told Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer that the team is more likely to make a change at the helm and remove Alvin Gentry than moving any of their players.
Despite finishing the preseason undefeated, the Pelicans are 6-22 on the season and highly unlikely to challenge for a playoff spot, even after their star rookie Zion Williamson returns to the court. The team is still a work in progress after the devastation caused by the Anthony Davis blockbuster trade, but to see Gentry's firing being an option is quite awkward to hear.
Vice president of basketball operations David Griffin chose to keep Gentry instead of bringing in his own hire, considering he had worked with Gentry in the past while the two were with the Phoenix Suns.
Gentry took over for Mike D'Antoni and pushed the Suns close to a potential NBA Finals stint, something Griffin has hoped he could bring out of him with this young roster. That task will be a lot more difficult with a roster of inexperienced players starting to gel, especially if Holiday is really looking to join another team after seeing the scarce potential to make a significant run this season.
If Gentry goes, the Pelicans would be pushing the reset button once again, tasking a new coach with putting this roster together and making it into a product that can challenge for a playoff spot.
Follow Us
Subscribe