Gentry is currently the Golden State
Warriors’ lead assistant and will finish the remainder of the NBA playoffs before taking over as the Pelicans’ coach. The Warriors are set to face the Cleveland
Cavaliers in the NBA Finals beginning Thursday.
Gentry, 60, and recently-fired Chicago
Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau were widely considered the leading candidates for the Pelicans job. The Pelicans and Gentry reportedly held a
second interview on Friday.
Gentry previously was the head coach for the Phoenix
Suns, Los Angeles
Clippers, Detroit
Pistons and Miami
Heat. Over his 12 seasons, Gentry has a 158–144 record in the regular season and 10–6 record in the playoffs. He most recently coached the Suns from 2008 to 2013.
Gentry will take over a Pelicans team led by three-year star
Anthony Davis, who was selected to the All-NBA First Team for the first time this past season.
- Mike Fiammetta