New Orleans Pelicans: 3 assistants Stan Van Gundy should consider hiring

New Orleans Pelicans: Stan Van Gundy should consider Kenny Atkinson as an assistant coach

Kenny Atkinson

Kenny Atkinson, the recent head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, has been interviewed for just about every head coaching vacancy, but so far, he’s not gotten a job.

Rumors are flying that he will join Tyronn Lue in Los Angeles, but if he doesn’t, Stan Van Gundy should give him a call.

Atkinson will eventually get another head coaching job, as he did good work in Brooklyn before being inexplicably fired. This may or may not have had something to do with his relationship with Kyrie Irving, but either way, Atkinson is going to get another chance.

Until then, he could continue to build his impressive resume under Stan Van Gundy. Atkinson has had a lot of success developing point guards in the past, and his name came up as a guy who could potentially get the most out of Lonzo Ball.

If Atkinson were hired, it would likely be to help teach the point guard position to Lonzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Atkinson was very successful with young players in Brooklyn, making the playoffs largely without the services of his two best players.

Atkinson would not be a long-term hire, as he will jump at the chance to be a head coach again, but he would be a solid addition who could get the most out of Lonzo Ball.

Stan Van Gundy will have a lot of options, but he should hire some guys who can work with specific players while grooming a young coach to take over someday.

The New Orleans Pelicans can make Stan Van Gundy’s life a lot easier with the right assistant coaches.