5:03 pm | June 17, 2019 | Go to Source | Author:
-
Malika AndrewsESPN
NEW ORLEANS – Days after agreeing to a blockbuster trade that brought three young players and three draft picks to New Orleans in exchange for Anthony Davis, the Pelicans‘ front office made its next move: Securing the leader of the new-look squad.
The Pelicans picked up the team option of head coach Alvin Gentry for the 2020-2021 season, league sources tell ESPN.
David Griffin, the Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations, has said he believes that Gentry’s offensive focus will be a stylistic fit for the roster he is assembling. In the deal for Davis, the Pelicans acquired Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Griffin had announced back in April, on the day he was introduced in New Orleans, that he would be bringing Gentry back for the 2019-20 season. Griffin said once he spoke with Gentry and realized the two were on the same page, keeping him around was a “no-brainer.”
At many points during last season, drama swirled around the Pelicans. Davis publicly requested a trade ahead of the February deadline, but Feb. 7 passed and Davis remained on the Pelicans’ roster. Days later, then-general manager Dell Demps was fired.
Many people within the organization credited Gentry with being a calming presence internally during a turbulent time. As one front office staff member put it, “His personality is like icy hot – eases the pain and tension in a tough time.”
On Thursday, the Pelicans are expected to use their No. 1 draft pick to select Zion Williamson – a prospect they can rebuild their franchise around.
Powered by WPeMatico