The New Orleans Pelicans are in search of their next head coach, and that could just end up being another former Pelicans player.
The Pelicans have interviewed former NBA point guard Rajon Rondo and two others for their head coach vacancy, according to a report from Rod Walker of NOLA.com. The others are current Brooklyn Nets assistant Steve Hetzel and former Lakers head coach Darvin Ham
The Pelicans fired last year's head coach Willie Green just 12 games into last season and with a 2-10 record, with James Borrego holding the interim title the rest of the way. New Orleans turned the corner a bit with Borrego, finishing the year 24-46 but tumbling late with losses in 10 of their final 11 games. Executive VP Joe Dumars has indicated Borrego is a candidate for the full-time job.
If Rondo ended up being the pick, it was reunite the Pelicans with a key player from their last playoff run that included a series victory. The longtime Boston Celtics point guard spent just one season in New Orleans, but appeared in 63 games with averages of 8.3 points, 8.2 assists and 4 rebounds per game. He also set a franchise record with 25 assists in a December with over the Nets, and also had a 21-assist game in a playoff victory against the Warriors after New Orleans swept the Blazers in the first round.
Green also had the distinction of being a former New Orleans player (2010-'11 as member of the Hornets).
What the next will not have, regardless of the name, is the team's first-round draft pick. That selection was sent to Atlanta in exchange for the pick that was used to select Derik Queen. The Pelicans will have to make some roster considerations over the offseason, but appear intent to bring back a majority of the core around Zion Williamson, who had a largely healthy season and appeared in more than 30 games for the third time in his seven NBA seasons.
The Pelicans currently only own one 2026 draft pick, a late second-round selection acquired in the deal that sent Jose Alvarado to the Knicks.
