Heading into the 2017-18 season, the Pelicans will have a sense of continuity in two of the team’s key positions: general manager and head coach.
Owner Tom Benson, and senior vice president of basketball relations, Mickey Loomis, confirmed the franchise’s plan to move forward with current GM Dell Demps and current head coach Alvin Gentry, as reported by The New Orleans Advocate.
Loomis, in a statement, said the following: “After careful and thorough review of basketball operations, we have made the determination that the best course of action as we move forward into the 2017-18 season is to continue under the leadership of general manager Dell Demps and head coach Alvin Gentry.”
The announcement reflects the franchise’s approval of Demps’ trade deadline prowess that saw him bring in All-Star DeMarcus Cousins, as The Advocate reported, “league sources” said pairing Cousins with New Orleans’ All-Star Anthony Davis “played a significant role in Demps retaining his position.” The Advocate also reported a league source said that the franchise has “high expectations” for the 2017-18 season.
Gentry, to some extent, must be breathing a sigh of relief following word that he will remain in New Orleans to start this upcoming season. His coaching gig with the Pelicans is his fifth head coaching gig, having previously been the HC of the Heat, Pistons, Clippers, and Suns. He was familiar with the city of New Orleans prior to being brought on as HC in 2015 from his time as an assistant for the then-Hornets from 2003-2004.
Gentry also benefited from having Cousins join the Pelicans. The Advocate noted that league sources said “Gentry’s developing relationship with Cousins was an important factor” in the franchise’s choice to keep Gentry as the HC going into this upcoming season.
Cousins had 17 technical fouls prior to the Sacramento-New Orleans trade, which led the league; but only amassed one technical in his 17 games as a Pelican. Gentry pointed to that as Cousins controlling and properly channeling his passion. This could be credited to the job Gentry’s done coaching the three-time All-Star.
Now that they have locked down their GM and HC, Loomis says the Pelicans “will continue to evaluate important roles on both the administrative and coaching staffs which will be resolved at the appropriate time.” Moving forward, New Orleans has said their biggest move this offseason will be hopefully re-signing point guard Jrue Holiday.
Aside from figuring out the Holiday situation, they will look to sure up their roster via the draft and free agency to add pieces around their All-Star frontcourt.
