The Philadelphia 76ers became the second team to hire a head coach this off-season on Thursday by agreeing to a deal with former Clippers coach Doc Rivers. A candidate the Pelicans reported reached out to in the immediate aftermath of his departure from Los Angeles, Rivers’ path to Philadelphia was a fairly direct one.
Rivers will reportedly strongly consider another name linked to the Pelicans for his coaching staff in Philadelphia. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, former New Orleans head coach Alvin Gentry is considered a “serious possibility” to join Rivers’ staff with the Sixers.
Previously, Gentry served on Rivers’ staff in Los Angeles. During the 2013-14 season, Gentry was the associate head coach with Rivers. That season was both Rivers’ first season in charge of the Clippers and the first season after Gentry left the Phoenix Suns.
After that season, Gentry served as the associate head coach for the Warriors, helping them capture an NBA title before leaving to become the Pelicans head coach. Gentry spent five seasons in New Orleans, amassing a 175-225 record before being fired following a disappointing conclusion to the season inside the bubble this summer.
