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Pelicans part ways with HC Gentry, could reportedly look to Kidd, Lue

Layne Murdoch Jr. / National Basketball Association / Getty

The New Orleans Pelicans dismissed head coach Alvin Gentry, the team announced Saturday.

"I’m grateful for and appreciative of Alvin’s commitment to the organization and, most importantly, the local community," said Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin. "The City of New Orleans is richer because of his presence here.

"These types of moves are often about fit and timing, and we believe now is the right time to make this change and bring in a new voice."

Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd, Los Angeles Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue, and former Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson are expected to be candidates for the job, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Andrew Lopez. Additionally, if the Nets don't retain interim head coach Jacque Vaughn, he could become a candidate too, ESPN reports. All four have logged previous head coaching experience.

Lue remains a highly touted candidate for multiple NBA openings, and teams are aware that he has been talking to Chauncey Billups about joining his potential staff as an associate head coach, sources told Wojnarowski.

The 65-year-old Gentry amassed a 175-225 (.438) record over five seasons with the club, peaking with 48 wins during the 2017-18 campaign. That year marked the Pelicans' lone playoff appearance under Gentry. The team, then with star big man Anthony Davis leading the way, swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round before falling in five games to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors.

However, with Davis' impending exit looming, the Pelicans were unable to capitalize on their forward momentum, and the club's record cratered to 33-49 in 2018-19.

The steep regression helped New Orleans secure 2019 top pick Zion Williamson. But due to Williamson's early-season knee injuries, Gentry only coached the Duke phenom for 24 games.

Gentry has won 510 games over stints with five franchises, including the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, and Miami Heat.

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