With Joe Dumars’ past connections potentially tipping the scales, two frontrunners have emerged in the New Orleans Pelicans coaching search.
The New Orleans Pelicans coaching search has been circling around four names for some time now, making it clear that there are a couple of finalists in the building: Rajon Rondo, Jamahl Mosley, Darvin Ham and Steven Hetzel.
As of now, it seems like it could still end up being any of those four names. Conflicting reports coming out of the building and around the league as to who is actually the favorite to get the job right now.
NBA insider Jake Fischer made waves on Thursday with a report that it's Ham and Hetzel who have made the strongest impressions on the decision-makers in the Pelicans front office.
He also mentioned that Mosley could take a break after the stressful end to his stint with the Orlando Magic. There was no mention of Rondo, which will certainly drive a stake through the heart of many fans.
If it truly is down to either Ham or Hetzel, it wouldn't be too surprising. Those are two names who have been connected to the search from the beginning and have a long history with New Orleans' current president Joe Dumars.
Before Ham became a coach, he had an eight-year NBA career as a player. He spent his final years on the Dumars-led Detroit Pistons team that won a championship. Dumars also gave Hetzel his first actual coaching gig in the league with the Pistons back in 2009 as a player development coach.
The search seems to be reaching a boiling point, which could mean that a decision is coming soon.