The New Orleans Pelicans, who most recently fired head coach Monty Williams after a 45-37 regular season, have asked the Golden State Warriors for permission to interview associate head coach Alvin Gentry, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.
The Warriors have granted permission, and the two sides are meeting on Monday in San Francisco. Pelicans’ president Mickey Loomis and general manager Dell Demps will be the two representatives for New Orleans in the meeting.
Gentry has emerged as one of the leading candidates for New Orleans’ vacant coaching position, as well as Chicago’s Tom Thibodeau, who has yet to part ways with the Bulls.
Gentry has been valued for his superb offensive schemes. He has often times been glorified for helping Golden State’s offense excel, similar to his days as Mike D’Antoni’s assistant coach in Phoenix. Gentry ultimately became Phoenix’s head coach in 2009 and coached them to have the best offense in the league during the 2009-2010 season when the team reached the Conference Finals.
The Pelicans believe that Gentry may help up-and-coming superstar Anthony Davis take his offensive game to a whole new level by implementing a potent offensive system.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, New Orleans has also registered interest in Jeff Van Gundy and recently fired Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks.