New Orleans Pelicans: 3 NBA Assistant Coaches to Consider Hiring

New Orleans Pelicans Head Coach Candidates: Dan Craig

Dan Craig: Miami Heat

After watching how the Heat groomed Erik Spoelstra to be their coach, it’s not unlikely that one of the next great coaching candidates will come out of Miami.

Dan Craig is still in his 30’s, so doesn’t have the experience of some others, but if the Pelicans want to take a chance on getting the next Erick Spoelstra, then Craig might be their guy.

Even though Craig is young, he has been with the Heat for nearly 17 years in some capacity. He started as a video intern and worked his way up, eventually becoming coach of player development, then assistant.

Spoelstra has lauded Craig’s basketball I.Q. and made him head coach of the Heat’s G-League affiliate, where Craig won the championship and G-league coach of the year.

He was also on Gregg Popovich’s staff for USA Basketball in 2018, so Craig has good credentials and comes from a solid coaching tree.

Is he the next Spoelstra?

Why He Fits the Pelicans

Craig has been a big part of player development in Miami, and you might have noticed he’s done a pretty good job.

Bam Adebayo is a frontrunner for most improved player, Kendrick Nunn is up for rookie of the year, Tyler Herro has been great and Duncan Robinson has shown signs.

The Heat are contenders every year because they develop players, which isn’t easy when you are always drafting in the back half of the first round.

The New Orleans Pelicans have a talented and young core that needs help. The argument for Craig is that he has a track record of development, comes from a solid coaching background and has been groomed by one of the best franchises in the NBA, run by legend Pat Riley.

Craig is probably a long shot to get this job, but he will get one eventually and could be the next wunderkind coach of the NBA.