The New Orleans Pelicans have undergone a bit of a metamorphosis in the last 72 hours, but one thing that remains the same is the head coach.
As first reported by ESPN’s Malika Andrews, the Pelicans are picking up the team option on Alvin Gentry’s contract for the 2020-21 season.
This means that Gentry, who was hired in 2015 after the Pelicans had an early exit in the postseason under Monty Williams, will remain with the franchise for the next two seasons as the franchise begins to prepare for the Zion Williamson era. That era will likely begin on Thursday, June 20th when the Pelicans select the Duke star with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
“We couldn’t be happier to extend our relationship with Alvin,” Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said in a statement released by the Pelicans, “He is exactly the right coach at the right time for this franchise. As I have mentioned several times previously, the shared vision we have for the future of Pelicans basketball both on and off the floor will enable us to build a roster that fits both culturally and tactically.
“Perhaps more importantly, the relationship we have built over our many years together will enable us to challenge, empower and further one another and our franchise.”
Over the last four seasons as the Pelicans head coach, Gentry had had a 145-183 record and that includes a postseason run that saw them sweep the Portland Trailblazers before falling to the eventual NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. Prior to his time with New Orleans, Gentry was an assistant coach with the Warriors during the 2014-15 season.
When you look at the moves that the franchise has made in the trade for Anthony Davis, it looks like David Griffin is wanting to get players that fit the up-tempo playing style that Gentry has wanted to implement since his tenure started. That style of offense has been their calling card in the last couple of seasons, standing toward the top of the rankings when it comes to the pace statistic which is an estimate of the number of possessions per 48 minutes by a team.
-Clint Domingue