The New Orleans Pelicans appear to be closing in on a new head coach in Phoenix Suns assistant Willie Green, according to a report from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday.
After Monty Williams was hired in 2019 by the Suns, Green left Golden State’s staff to join Williams’ and has spent the last two seasons with the franchise. Green spent three seasons on the Warriors’ staff, winning titles in 2017 and 2018 under Steve Kerr.
Prior to becoming a head coach, Williams played in the NBA for 13 years with five different franchises, including a one-year stint with the then New Orleans Hornets in 2010-11.
At 39 years old, Green would be significantly younger than each of the previous two Pelicans coaches. Stan Van Gundy was 61 years old when hired last fall while Alvin Gentry 64 years old when fired last year.
Green emerged as a finalist after Nets assistant Jacque Vaughn removed himself from coaching consideration. Alongside Green, Bucks assistant Charles Lee has been considered a frontrunner as well throughout the process.
