Pelicans: How new coach could affect roster and Jrue Holiday

New Orleans Pelicans head coach search: Jamahl Mosely means a youth movement

If Jamahl Mosley is hired

First off, I am only using Jamahl Mosley as an example of a first-time head coach. He is also on the younger side, so represents the type of coach the Pels might hire if they are thinking about the long-term.

A coach like Mosley or Will Weaver is young enough to grow with the players and potentially stay with the team for a long stint. He is also more likely to build a rapport with young players who were barely alive when Stan Van Gundy was in Orlando.

Hiring a first-time head coach might mean that the Pelicans are thinking about the long-term, in which case, it makes sense to trade Jrue Holiday and J.J. Redick for players and draft assets.

In this case, trading Holiday for a young player and a lottery pick would make a whole lot of sense. We’ve outlined a few trades above, but the most appealing might be the deal with Golden State.

In such a deal the Pels would take back a player like Andrew Wiggins and the #2 pick in the draft, which would set them up with a young, versatile roster for their new coach to mold.

They could trade Redick to someone like the Lakers, Suns or any other team looking for 3-point shooting. By the end, the Pelicans could amass the assets and cap space to go after a big name like Bradley Beal in a trade or pick up an impact free agent.

Hiring a young, first-time head coach could be the sign that the New Orleans Pelicans are all-in on the youth movement and will take advantage of their veteran contracts to set up the roster for years to come.