The New Orleans Pelicans face a franchise-defining decision at the start of a busy offseason. With a head coaching search underway, one candidate appears to be the heavy favorite to lead a new era of Pelicans basketball.
Former Pelicans guard Rajon Rondo is by far the preferred hire among fans, and it appears the front office feels the same.
The longtime NBA floor general has spent the past two years as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, and has reportedly already interviewed for the vacancy. Bucks reporter for The Athletic, Eric Nehm, noted that the Pelicans have been aggressive in their pursuit of Rondo. That has led many to believe a reunion in New Orleans is close, and that the only thing preventing Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver from making things official is their desire to explore every possible avenue.
When you're in a position like the Pelicans are, risks need to be taken. After back-to-back sub-30-win seasons, this team needs major changes, and a first-time head coach can bring that. However, for it to be successful, the Pelicans should look to surround Rondo with veteran coaches to ensure he has the support he needs for an 82-game season. And given the list of candidates reported, they may be looking to do just that.
Experienced assistants like Darvin Ham could elevate Rondo
During Rondo's two seasons in Milwaukee, he overlapped with former Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, who returned to the Bucks after leaving LA.
Ham was linked to the Pelicans as a strong candidate for their head coach role, but what if they explored bringing him in as an assistant alongside Rondo? Ham has been a winning head coach in one of the league's biggest markets and managed high expectations and constant scrutiny during his time with the Lakers. While he may not be a flawless head coach, the experience he could bring as an assistant can't be denied.
Considering Milwaukee recently hired Taylor Jenkins to be their next head coach, Ham's days with the Bucks are likely numbered. Typically, new head coaches overhaul the coaching staff and bring in their own guys. This could leave Ham searching for a new home, and with the prebuilt connection he and Rondo share from these last two seasons, it could be a seamless transition.
We've seen with the Lakers how beneficial having experienced veteran coaches in Scott Brooks and Nate McMillan on JJ Redick's staff has been for him early in his tenure. Being a young coach can be daunting, but having reliable, trustworthy, experienced basketball minds on the sidelines eases things. Building on a Rondo hire by bringing in Darvin Ham as one of his assistants would be massive for the Pelicans.
Over his career, Rondo has shown he has the IQ, mentality, and leadership skills needed to become a great NBA head coach. If New Orleans does head down this path and hires the two-time NBA champion, they need to give him the support needed. While there's no doubt Rondo can be a leader and guide the group to success, having assistants who can fill the experience gap and aren't going to be yes-men would significantly raise his ceiling as a coach.
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