The New Orleans Pelicans are looking for a new head coach once again and this time they will do so with Zion Williamson‘s future contract in mind.
There have been some minor rumblings that Zion (or one of his cousins or aunt or something) is unhappy with the direction of the New Orleans Pelicans, though these rumors have no names attached to them as usual.
It’s clear the Pelicans need to get this coaching hire right, as Stan Van Gundy was not the guy to mesh with a group of young stars.
Several names have been mentioned already, including a couple of internal options.
The Pelicans could also go with an up and coming assistant who is young enough to grow with the team and provide some stability.
That guy should be Charles Lee.
Charles Lee could bring stability for the Pelicans and Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson will now be on his third coach in three years, so the Pelicans need to find someone who can grow with the team.
They could hire a young guy like Charles Lee and give him time to actually build something, as the Celtics did with Brad Stevens.
Like Stevens, Lee is a young guy with a brilliant basketball mind that many coaches have raved about.
He’s coached under Mike Budenholzer for his entire career, so has been around a rebuilding team in Atlanta and title contender in Milwaukee.
Lee is a young guy who should be able to relate to the young Pelicans and get the most out of their abilities.
Charles Lee has experience working with a superstar
One of the reasons Stan Van Gundy wasn’t a good choice is that he has a reputation of clashing with his stars, which happened pretty much everywhere he’s ever been.
By all accounts, Lee has a good relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and like the Bucks, the Pelicans are trying to build around a superstar in a smaller market, which isn’t easy.
The Bucks are on their way to the Conference Finals, so Lee is picking up invaluable experience on the bench and soaking it all up.
I think his age, intelligence and experience with superstars makes Charles Lee the perfect candidate to pair with Zion Williamson for the long term.