5 Head coaches who could replace Willie Green if Pelicans fire him

1. Doc Rivers

For the first time since 1999, Rivers will not be a head coach in the NBA to start the season. The 61-year-old has coached four different franchises over the last 24 years and had success everywhere he has gone.

Rivers is an NBA lifer. He was a second-round draft pick in 1983 and played 13 years in the league. He was an All-Star in 1988 and a starter for the majority of his eight seasons in Atlanta. Rivers became a head coach in Orlando at just 38 years old. He won the championship in 2008 and twice took down the Eastern Conference while leading the Celtics.

In recent years, Rivers has become synonymous with his playoff collapses, but that minimizes his success. He has coached his team to the playoffs 15 times in the last 16 years and just helped Joel Embiid win MVP last season.

Doc Rivers is working with ESPN this season as an analyst, but do not rule out a coaching return. This is his first break in 24 years, but the 61-year-old could get the itch to lead a franchise again.

The New Orleans Pelicans have massive expectations, and Rivers is the best free-agent head coach on the market. If Willie Green is fired, do not be surprised to see Doc linked to the job, and the veteran head coach will get mentioned for any other that becomes available.

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