Not even one day after New Orleans Pelicans owner Gayle Benson told Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com that Willie Green‘s future was in the hands of executive VP of basketball operations Joe Dumars, Green is out of a job.
At 9:28 a.m. (ET), NBA Insider Chris Haynes reported that the Pelicans had moved on from Green. Green’s firing isn’t surprising, as the 44-year-old coach had been on the hot seat for a while.
“After careful evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at head coach,” Dumars said in the statement. “I have the utmost respect for Willie Green, and I’m sincerely appreciative of his contributions to the Pelicans organization and the New Orleans community. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.”
New Orleans dropped its fourth straight game last night, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers 118-104. As has been the case all season, the Pelicans struggled on the defensive end as the Lakers shot 52% from the field. It is the fourth straight contest that the Pelicans have allowed their opponents to make at least half their shots, and the eighth time overall. The Pelicans, 28th in defensive rating, enable their opponents to shoot 50.2% from the field.
What does The Firing of Willie Green Mean for the Pelicans for the Rest of the Season and This Summer?
New Orleans sits at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a 2-10 record on the season. The Pelicans, who are 27th in offensive rating, have lost half their games by double-figures and own a conference-worst -12.9 scoring margin. According to ESPN Research, the Pelicans are the first team in NBA history to lose three of their first six games by at least 30 points.
Granted, the Pelicans have been given a full deck this year, as Dejounte Murray has yet to play. Zion Williamson has sat out seven contests thus far, and Jordan Poole five.
Green finishes his tenure with the Pelicans with a 150-190 record in four-plus seasons. He finished above .500 twice and led the Pelicans to two postseason berths, though they won just two of those 10 playoff contests. Moreover, the Pelicans have really struggled defensively over the last two seasons.
James Borrego will serve as the Pelicans’ interim coach for the remainder of the year. It is also no surprise that Dumars decided to promote Borrego. Earlier this month, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that Borrego, who was in his second year as Green’s associate head coach, was denied an opportunity to join Mike Brown‘s staff in New York as insurance if the Pelicans were to make an in-season move.
Borrego has five years of NBA head coaching experience. The 48-year-old owns a 148-182 record with Charlotte (2018-22) and Orlando (2014-15). He has no postseason appearances, but the Hornets achieved a winning record in his last season with the franchise.
What Is Next For the Pelicans?
New Orleans is in a precarious position. While Williamson (hamstring) has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday’s home game against Golden State, Poole (quadriceps) is out for at least one more week. Meanwhile, Murray is not slated to return until after the New Year.
In other words, New Orleans will likely be among the teams contending for the worst record in the league. Therefore, the Pelicans will likely embark on a complete rebuild, as they don’t project to have a first-round pick in 2026, which they will send to Atlanta in exchange for Derick Queen.
The Pelicans have 15 players under contract and are $1.3 million below the tax threshold. The Pels do have 14 players under contract for next season, though they have flexibility, as only $140 million of the $198.84 million is guaranteed. Kevon Looney (team), Karlo Matkovic (team), and Jose Alvarado (player) hold options. Williamson’s deal is nonguaranteed.
Should The Pelicans Trade Zion Williamson?
So, is it time for New Orleans to trade Williamson? The short answer is yes.
Williamson is just 25 and is highly productive and efficient when healthy. But that is the issue. He is under contract for two more seasons, worth $87 million, after this year. Although his deal is non-guaranteed, there are safety nets in place. While Williamson’s value isn’t great, the Pelicans should be able to recoup a first-round pick (lottery protected) this year, a young prospect, and expiring contracts.
If New Orleans decides to pivot away from Williamson, that means the franchise will be building around Trey Murphy III, Jeremiah Fears, and Queen. That means that Murray and Poole may also be dealt with, as well as Herbert Jones and Saddiq Bey. Of the four players, the Pels probably would be most reluctant to trade Jones and Bey.
The Pelicans should be able to acquire a first-round pick and a young rotational player in exchange for Murray, along with likely expiring contracts. Meanwhile, Poole has moderate value, which should bring the Pelicans rotational depth and either a protected first-rounder or multiple second-round picks.
Examining Potential Candidates For Pelicans Coaching Vacancy
With Borrego being given the rest of the season to make the case to become the Pelicans’ full-time coach, Dumars probably won’t seriously start compiling a list until January. Borrego will likely secure the job, as he is extremely well-respected within the organization, according to Ian Begley of SNYtv.com.
“NOP interim HC James Borrego was a finalist for the NYK job,” Begley tweeted. “NYK also pursued Borrego for associate HC job w/Mike Brown. As is always the case, Borrego will get consideration for a full-time NOP job.”
Unless Borrego really impresses Dumars during this trial period, the Pelicans should look elsewhere. Borrego does have a few things going for him; he is an experienced head coach with teams that were in a similar situation to the Pelicans. He also produced one winning campaign with the Hornets.
Borrego is known for being an offensive coach who emphasizes pace and space. Borrego is also considered a player’s coach with a strong reputation for developing young talent. However, the Pels’ offense has struggled since he joined the organization before the start of last season.
Additionally, Borrego’s teams have struggled defensively, which is a current issue for the Pelicans.
“Behind the scenes, there’s skepticism that lead assistant James Borrego would replace Green permanently,” Chris Dodson of Clutch Points reports. “Per one isolated source, Dumars is quietly looking for someone who would completely shake up the organization and reset the culture as the next head coach.”
Kevin Ollie
Kevin Ollie has been out of basketball since taking over the Brooklyn Nets on an interim basis during the 2023-24 season, posting an 11-18 record. Still, Begley added that Ollie is expected to receive consideration for the job.
Additionally, after serving one season with the Nets, the 52-year-old was the head coach for the G League Ignite and the UConn Huskies. Ollie led the Huskies to two NCAA Tournament appearances, winning the national title in 2014.
Ollie is recognized as a defensive coach with a strong background in player development and a proven ability to communicate effectively. The biggest questions facing Ollie are his ability to be a tactician and his limited coaching ability.
Verdict: Could get an interview, at least a solid candidate.
Michael Malone
Michael Malone is an NBA champion coach who has made the playoffs in six of his 12 seasons as a head coach. The 54-year-old coach, who has registered eight winning campaigns, is 510-394 in his career and 44-36 during the playoffs. He led the Nuggets to three 40-win seasons.
Malone is a defensive coach first, building Denver into a top-tier defensive team during his tenure. He has also received high marks for culture building and player development. However, he isn’t great at managing his rotation, and his offense sometimes lacks creativity.
Verdict: Not sure if he is a great fit here. Definitely deserves massive consideration, if he is interested.
Taylor Jenkins
Taylor Jenkins did a masterful job with the Memphis Grizzlies, guiding the Team to two 50-win campaigns and three playoff appearances in six seasons. The 41-year-old finished his tenure with the Grizzlies with a 250-214 record, including going 9-14 in the playoffs.
Jenkins is an offensive coach, specializing in space and pace philosophy, with an emphasis on ball movement, spacing, and three-point shooting. Culture and player development are also among his specialities. Not great with on-floor adjustments and game-to-game adjustments.
Verdict: Strong candidate, if he wants an interview, and perhaps one of the leading candidates.
Frank Vogel
Frank Vogel is an experienced head coach who currently serves as an assistant under Jason Kidd with the Dallas Mavericks. In 12 seasons, Vogel has posted a 480-422 record, which includes eight winning seasons and two 50-win seasons. A NBA champion coach, Vogel has led eight teams to the playoffs and a 49-43 record. His teams have reached the NBA conference finals three times.
Vogel is one of the top defensive coaches in the league, although his system is not so rigid that he is unwilling to adjust. He is also well respected as a leader and for developing players. However, his team has historically struggled offensively, and he often has too rigid a rotation.
Verdict: Should be the leading candidate.
Mike Budenholzer
Mike Budenholzer is one of the winningest coaches over the last 15 years and an NBA champion. Budenholzer has led eight of his 11 teams to a winning record and nine playoff appearances. The 56-year-old owns a 520-363 record, reaching the 50-win mark five times and 60 wins twice. He also has a 56-48 playoff record with his teams getting out of the first round six of the nine occassions.
Budenholzer is deeply rooted as a systems coach on both ends of the floor. On offense, he emphasizes pace and space, while he favors protecting the rim and drop coverage. Additionally, he is a good player development coach who provides structure and accountability.
Budenholzer’s offenses can be stagnant, overly reliant on isolation or three-point volume, and he often sticks to his schemes even when matchups demand flexibility.
Verdict: Pass.
Tom Thibodeau
Tom Thibodeau probably got a raw deal with the Knicks, though they needed a change. A two-time NBA COY, Thibs owns a 570-420 record, posting a winning campaign in 10 of his 13 seasons. But he hasn’t had the same success in the playoffs, registering a 48-55 record.
“For a team desperate for defensive discipline, Tom Thibodeau is a no-brainer,” Dodson said. “The two-time NBA Coach of the Year (2011, 2021) has a career .579 winning percentage (578-420) and led the Bulls to back-to-back No. 1 seeds and a 2011 Conference Finals appearance. Recently dismissed by the Knicks after five seasons with a 56.5% win rate and an Eastern Conference Finals run, his trademark intensity could rally disengaged players and shore up the leaky Pelicans.”
Vedict: Pass
Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo is an interesting long-shot option. The 16-year former NBA point guard, who spent the 2017-18 season with the Pelicans, last played in the Association during the 2021-22 season. He was in training camp with the Milwaukee Bucks the previous year as a coach and is currently a part-time coach with the Team.
“He’s been fantastic,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said recently on Rondo’s impact. “I called him this summer and said Hey, we need you involved. He watches TONS of film. He’s chasing guys down, like, no, no, no, we’re gonna watch film first.”
Verdict: Won’t hurt the Pelicans if they talk to him, but Dumars should look elsewhere.
Sam Cassell
Sam Cassell has been linked to several NBA head coaching posts over the recent years. Cassell is one of the longest-tenured assistant basketball coaches, serving since 2009 and currently in his third season as Joe Mazzula‘s top assistant in Boston.
Known for being brutally honest, Cassell is credited with mentoring guards and wings since joining the coaching ranks. However, he lacks head coaching experience and reportedly struggles in interviews.
“As lead assistant for Boston under Joe Mazzulla, he contributed to their 2024 championship and has been named a top assistant in NBA GM surveys (7% in 2023, 15% in 2024),” Dodson said about Cassell. “A former championship-winning player himself, Cassell’s strengths lie in guard development and building playoff contenders, with prior stints under Doc Rivers in Los Angeles and Philadelphia.”
“Cassell could be exactly what’s needed for the front office to regain the locker room’s trust. While the four-time NBA Champion (three playing, one coaching) lacks head coaching experience, Casesell represents a high-upside hire for a team thinking about long-term growth.”
Verdict: No harm in giving Cassell a shot at impressing with an interview.
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