Former Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni is officially a free agent, and the New Orleans Pelicans might be looking to make him their new head coach.
D'Antoni's status with the Rockets was an unknown given he was on an expiring contract, but the veteran head coach informed the team Sunday of his departure.
Meanwhile, Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer says there have been “rumblings for weeks” that D'Antoni could become the next head coach of the Pelicans:
No surprise here that Mike D’Antoni isn’t going back to Houston. There have been rumblings for weeks that he could be headed to the Pelicans. https://t.co/dddzH7Ev0V
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) September 13, 2020
New Orleans fired Alvin Gentry after the team fell apart in the bubble.
The Pelicans had an opportunity to compete for the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference at the beginning of the restart. Instead they went just 2-6 in Orlando, and Gentry was shown the door just a few days later.
New Orleans might have some competition for D'Antoni's services. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN says D'Antoni is expected to be a candidate for the Philadelphia 76ers gig after the Sixers fired Brett Brown. The Indiana Pacers are also said to have interest.
However, the Pelicans might better suit D'Antoni's coaching style.
New Orleans has a roster that seems built for pace and space, with guys like Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson getting out in the open floor and wings such as JJ Redick and Brandon Ingram capable of shooting from beyond the arc. Jrue Holiday is a versatile two-way guard to help run the show on both ends.
Additionally, Williamson might be the kind of undersized big who fits the mold of D'Antoni's offenses, though Zion will need to improve as a shooter and defender.
In any case, the Pelicans offer intrigue as an up-and-comer in the West, and it is possible D'Antoni is looking to build something new.
Perhaps the two sides can find common ground.
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