New Orleans Pelicans: Reasons why the coaching search is taking so long

Examining why the New Orleans Pelicans are still searching for their next head coach

We are all waiting…. and waiting…. and waiting… to find out who the new head coach for the New Orleans Pelicans will be.

Let’s face it, most NBA fans are not patient and will clamp on to any rumor or even hint of a rumor that is posted on social media and random blogs regarding their team. New Orleans Pelicans fans are no exception.

If we are being honest with ourselves, speculation into what is going on behind the scenes is all we have at this point. So while we wait, let’s speculate on some of the reasons the search seems to be taking a long time:

• David Griffin and Trajan Langdon are doing their due diligence with research.
  These two, and really the entire organization as a whole, are not known for their leaks. It’s been evident since day one. While it was no secret that Zion Williamson would be the #1 pick in 2019, all of the other moves made by the Pelicans have been pretty tight-lipped from the front office. That’s not a bad thing.
• The right fit for the team the front office wants to build hasn’t presented itself yet.
  That’s kind of obvious but also it may just be a matter of timing based on the current job, including potentially someone currently in the bubble and unable to commit to coaching the Pels just yet. As we mentioned a few days ago, there are a couple of assistants left in the bubble who could be on the Griffin/Langdon radar.
• With the push back of the NBA draft date to November, the need to rush the process isn’t quite as urgent as before when the draft was set for mid-October.
  As we pointed out earlier this week on Pelican Debrief, this could eventually hinder the team, especially during the draft process. And really, a new coach would need a little time to not only gel with the front office but, more importantly, the players.
• Another coaching change or Woj-bomb is sure to drop before the Pelicans make a hire.
  This seems far fetched but also, this is 2020. Let’s be real. Nothing this year has gone as expected, so why do we think there won’t be another coaching change before the playoffs are done?
• Finally, not all of the available coaches (I’m looking at you, Mike D’Antoni) have been signed yet. While many think D’Antoni is going to the 76ers, that isn’t confirmed and no contract has been signed. Additionally, there are several assistants high on the list of the New Orleans media members who have not made that leap to head coach just yet. While Griffin and the team are not reaching out to the local sports reporters for advice, it does seem plausible that at least one of these coaches is going through a thorough vetting process.

Whoever the New Orleans Pelicans hire should have a very vocal say in the future of the team, including draft picks and any potential trades. While Griffin, Langdon, and the rest of the Pelicans front office seemingly can’t wait much longer to find the right person to coach the team, there’s no doubt that every I will be dotted and T will be crossed before an announcement is made.

Rest assured, we will have plenty of analysis on the site and bring in some fun speculating on what we can see during the draft, through trades, and as preseason begins, whatever it looks like.

However, until that time when a head coach is presented to the Pelicans nation….. we will wait.