The New Orleans Pelicans interviewed three people for their head coach opening.
The New Orleans Pelicans need a head coach to lead them into next season after the moved on from Willie Green early last season. James Borrego did a solid job when taking over in the interim, and is being considered for the full-time position, but the Pelicans are keeping their options open.
Rod Walker of NOLA.com reported on Monday that three of the other people who have been tied to the job have now completed an interview with New Orleans: Rajon Rondo, Steve Hetzel and Darvin Ham.
Both Ham and Hetzel have been tied to the job for longer. Rondo was a surprise entrant into the conversation, and one that didn't take long to gain support.
Rondo doesn't have any official experience as an assistant coach, but he did spent some time around the Milwaukee Bucks a couple of years ago in a part-time role. He played for Doc Rivers, so it's understanding that he's who Rondo got his first coaching experience from.
Even without the history, Rondo should be taken seriously as a candidate. He spent 16 years in the NBA, was an elite point guard and clearly has a great basketball mind. He has a similar case to that of JJ Redick, who has done a good job at transitioning from podcaster to coach thanks to his knowledge of the game and dedication.
The other two candidates have reasoning behind why they're being considered as well, though they would probably be less exciting options and take longer for the fan base to get behind.
Ham is most-known for his short stint as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. He went 90-74 over those two years and was fired after the team lost in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
He played for the Joe Dumars-led Detroit Pistons back in 2004 and clearly has the former Pistons executive's respect. Perhaps he could do better in a job that has less stress involved than the LeBron James Lakers.
Hetzel is also someone with extensive experience with Dumars. It was Dumars who gave him his first job in the NBA, serving as a player development coach in Detroit.
This mostly is just confirming that some of the names that were always expected to be considered are indeed being considered, but candidates like Rondo do prove that the front office is actually doing their due diligence and at least considering to be a little more outside of the box and taking a big swing.