The New Orleans Pelicans are closing in on their rebuild coming to an end.
When the team traded Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers, it was thought that they would become one of the worst teams in the league.
However, after two additional seasons, the future is very bright for the Pelicans and they may become playoff contenders as soon as next season.
This would be a real possibility if they are able to knock their replacement of Van Gundy out of the park.
The Pelicans have a very talented and young roster.
The Pelicans must find a coach that can mesh well with this team.
Along with this, their replacement should have a track record of being able to develop players and accommodating to their needs.
This is something that Van Gundy fell short of.
It has been reported by Jasmyn Wimbish from CBS Sports that, “Van Gundy’s personality and coaching style did not mesh well with the players“.
This is one of the most coveted coaching jobs in the NBA.
Coaching a young duo of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram is a coaches dream.
Even rapper Mater P has thrown his hat into the ring.
In an interview with TMZ, rapper Master P said, “If they bring me in as a head coach or assistant coach, I think I can change the game!”
There are three amazing potential options for the Pelicans.
1. Jacque Vaughn
It has been reported that Vaughn is the current frontrunner for the job.
The Brooklyn Nets already lost Ime Udoka and could lose Jacque Vaughn and Mike D’Antoni.
I’m told Vaughn is a strong candidate for the Pelicans job.
Vaughn coached the Magic for three seasons (2012-15) and was the interim coach for the Nets last season.
— Clevis Murray (@ClevisMurray) June 23, 2021
He began his career as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs in the 2010-2011 season.
Vaughn stayed in San Antonio for two seasons before he became the head coach of the Orlando Magic.
The Magic struggled under Vaughn’s tenure as head coach.
Orlando finished with a combined record of 58-158 during his three-year run.
Vaughn then became an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets.
Vaughn was forced to step up as the head coach of the Nets in the closing stretch of the 2019-2020 season.
They went 7-3 in the ten games Vaughn spent at head coach.
Vaughn is a former player, meaning that he understands the struggles that players go through.
Vaughn was strongly considered to become the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets coming into the 2020-2021 season and could be a great addition for the Pelicans.
2. Charles Lee
Lee is currently an assistant coach for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Previously, he was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks.
Lee is another former player who spent time playing overseas for four years.
He would be an amazing fit with this roster.
Lee is young enough to be able to understand everything the younger players are going through.
Along with this, although he did not play in the NBA, Lee would still understand some of the things that they go through playing professional basketball.
#Pelicans HC job’s vacant & the belief is #Bucks assistant Charles Lee is their guy.
New Orleans' fixture on Lee’s head coaching chances: “He’s an incredible person. Leader. Great basketball mind. He will relate to the young stars. It’s Lee’s job if he wants it.”
(via @ScoopB) pic.twitter.com/Lo9AbVeNfX
— NBA Analysis Network (@HoopAnalysisNet) June 24, 2021
This would be a big jump for Lee as this will be his first head coaching position.
Despite this, he has the potential be one of the best young coaches in the league.
3. Fred Vinson
Vinson is someone who has spent eleven seasons with the Pelicans.
He was a member of the coaching staff for Monty Williams, Alvin Gentry, and Van Gundy.
It is also reported that he has spent a lot of time training and is very close with Brandon Ingram.
While Ingram is not the head honcho for the Pelicans, his voice still holds some weight within the organization.
Vinson can take a lot of the credit for Ingram and Lonzo Ball‘s improved shooting recently.
With his track record of being able to develop young players and the time he has spent with the team, there is a chance that Vinson could land the job as head coach.
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