NBA News: Alvin Gentry Is New Orleans Pelicans New Head Coach

Alvin Gentry currently serves as an assistant coach to Steve Kerr at Golden State. This looks like it will be his last run with the Warriors, win or lose.

Gentry has reportedly gained the nod to be the next head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, a team which is now coach-less after the firing of Monty Williams. This was first revealed by ESPN.

Gentry tops other head coaching names that were initially linked with the Pelicans. Among the top candidates New Orleans had considered are Jeff Van Gundy, Vinny Del Negro, and Scott Skiles, who was incidentally hired earlier to take on the head coaching chores for the Orlando Magic.

Gentry served as one of the top assistant responsible for the Warriors’ offense and had earlier said that only a special case would lure him out of the Bay Area.

This special case came in the person of Anthony Davis, a budding big man who became an MVP candidate as early as his third season in the NBA. Ironically, it was the Warriors who eliminated Davis and the Pelicans in the first round of the NBA playoffs in the Western Conference.

According to a report from Yahoo Sports, the Pelicans will be signing Gentry to a four-year deal worth around $13.75 million. The deal also includes a $4 million team option on the final season.

Gentry is no stranger to coaching, starting out as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs during the 1989-90 NBA season. His first head coaching duties came in 1994 when he served as interim head coach for the Miami Heat.

Aside from the Heat, Genty also had head coaching stints with Detroit Pistons (1998-2000), Los Angeles Clippers (2001-2003), and the Phoenix Suns (2009-2013). Overall, Gentry holds a 335-370 win-loss record in 12 seasons.

Aside from the fact that the Pelicans are hoping to improve their offensive sets, one thing worth noting here is how Gentry will help in the development of Davis.

Davis is seen as a future Hall of Famer. He is also considered a promising big man who may possibly succeed Tim Duncan. However, this can only be accomplished with proper guidance and Gentry will be tasked to play a part in this department.

But this hiring move is not only entirely about Davis. Gentry is expected to motivate and help out other members of the team improve, something that will hopefully reap rewards in the upcoming 2015-16 NBA season.