The New Orleans Pelicans have a decision to make regarding their next head coach this offseason, and the reporting on the search has been all over the place.

Right now, the only person who is for sure in the race is current interim head coach James Borrego. Darvin Ham, Jahmal Mosley and Kevin Ollie have all been tied to the job via reports and rumors, but Joe Dumars all but outright dismissed those names in his end-of-year press conference.

If this job search is as open as Dumars is making it sound, then the hire could even be someone that no one is talking about right now. Here is a wishlist of potential names that make sense and could be smart hires:

Borrego has to start almost any conversation about the next permanent head coach of the Pelicans. Even if it may be viewed as the "obvious" choice, it doesn't mean it wouldn't be a smart one.

While New Orleans didn't turn into a playoff team after Borrego was promoted, it would be unfair to put that qualification on him getting the job. He was handed an injured team in disarray and kept them fighting in games through the end.

He has the respect of those in the locker room, and the small sample size of healthy basketball looking good are the two things really working in his favor in terms of getting that job.

Hat tip to Shamit Dua of In The No with the report of him being "someone to watch" in the coaching search on Thursday. It actually is a hire that makes a ton of sense.

One thing that players really liked about Willie Green is the fact that he was a former player. It goes a long way in earning respect for players because it just means that he knows what they are going through.

Dudley played from 2007 to 2021 and won a ring in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was known for his toughness, literally nicknamed the "Junkyard Dog." That's something that would certainly get Dumars interested. He mentioned that the biggest need for New Orleans this offseason is more toughness.

There is also the factor that he has been an assistant coach for both the Dallas Mavericks, back when Luka Doncic was there and now the Denver Nuggets with Nikola Jokic. It's known that Derik Queen is seen as "Baby Jokic," so that experience with that type of player will also work in Dudley's favor.

Sweeney is going to be one of the more sought-after names this offseason, and it would be shocking if he isn't promoted to a head coach. That could end up being a problem, as it could create a bidding war for his services. Are the Pelicans prepared to go all in for a coach?

The Minnesota native has been an assistant since 2013 with the Brooklyn Nets. He has had stints with the Mavericks, Detroit Pistons (Troy Weaver connection) and the Milwaukee Bucks. He joined the Spurs last year and now they are one of the best teams in the league.

Dumars mentioned liking the fact that he could look at Weaver's resume and see that he has been with organizations that do what New Orleans wants to do. Sweeney has helped develop great players and is now ready for a lead role.