Rumors

Mark Stein: League sources tell @JakeLFischer and me, as covered in the story below, that the Knicks have interest in hiring James Borrego as Mike Brown’s top assistant … but sources tell me New Orleans’ preference is that Borrego stays as Willie Green’s top assistant.

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Dumars spent much of his first few weeks on the job talking to people in the building to help with his assessment of the Pelicans' coaching staff and players. "It's hard for me to come in here and say 'here's how I assessed Willie (Green) last year,'", Dumars said. "I wasn't here. All I can do is move forward and guide and create and lead and put expectations on what we need to do here to be successful. And only then can I judge Willie or anyone else. I was pleased with what I heard. I'm looking forward to going forward and working with Willie and to push us to success. You've got to set the bar. And that's what we're going to do."

New Orleans Times-Picayune

The prevailing expectation is that Willie Green will remain Pelicans head coach, league sources told HoopsHype. Green was in the war room with the New Orleans Saints during the NFL Draft. HoopsHype previously reported on April 16th that Green was expected to be retained.

HoopsHype

Multiple sources tell me that Green has virtually zero player support left in the locker. The team has tuned him out, which was evident during a franchise record number of 40 point losses, after many of which Green referred to his team as “soft”.

In the NO

Multiple sources have relayed to me that fates of Williamson and Green have been sealed with the hiring of Dumars. Pelicans ownership was livid over Williamson’s recent off-court headlines. One person familiar with ownership’s thinking described this event as the straw that broke the camel’s back.

In the NO

David Griffin wanted to fire coach Willie Green earlier this season but was denied by ownership, league sources told HoopsHype.

HoopsHype

With Dumars taking over as lead Pelicans executive, he’s expected to retain Green as head coach in New Orleans, league sources told HoopsHype. Green has also maintained the support of Pelicans ownership, league sources told HoopsHype. Ownership’s support comes amid reported potential interest from the Phoenix Suns in their coaching vacancy if Green became available due to his strong ties to franchise star Devin Booker from their time together when Green was an assistant coach in Phoenix.

HoopsHype

Amid Green’s expected return, assistant coaching changes on his staff are likely, league sources told HoopsHype. Associate head coach James Borrego is expected to be in the mix for coaching openings this summer, including the Phoenix Suns, league sources told HoopsHype. Had Griffin remained with the Pelicans, there was a strong expectation that he would’ve fired Green and named Borrego the next head coach, league sources told HoopsHype.

HoopsHype

In New Orleans, Dumars is expected to soon immerse himself with the current basketball staff, led by well-regarded general manager Bryson Graham, and head coach Willie Green. In terms of the Pelicans' roster, the franchise will assuredly have candid conversations with star forward Zion Williamson on his direction with the team.

ESPN

Shamit Dua: Since it looks like all the rumors are coming true - the final bit of intel have on this whole situation is that ownership will mandate Dumars to keep Willie Green and trade Zion. This is what I have heard. It's possible the Phoenix situation impacts Willie Green, but this is the plan I am hearing.

bsky.app

Chris Haynes: So sources related to me that these are a list of coaching candidates that are going to be looked at by the Phoenix Suns: Mike Brown – Former head coach of the Sacramento Kings Willie Green – Current Pelicans head coach We’re going to see: is Willie going to stay there in New Orleans? I mean, excuse me—New Orleans just parted ways with the President of Basketball Operations, David Griffin, and so we’re going to see if Willie is going to stay there in place or not. If Willie is going to be outed, Phoenix is definitely going to take a look at Willie. Willie spent some time in Phoenix. Chris Quinn – Miami assistant Johnnie Bryant – Cavaliers assistant Sean Sweeney – Mavericks assistant Jared Dudley – Mavericks assistant (Jared Dudley played in Phoenix, has strong ties to the Phoenix area) Royal Ivey – Rockets assistant David Fizdale – Suns assistant (currently) Kevin Young – Former Suns assistant and BYU head coach So those are some names that I was told that the team will look into and evaluate, and choose who they’re going to bring in for interviews. And so that’s the next phase right now.

YouTube

Marc Stein: Chauncey Billups, obviously, is going nowhere now after a contract extension in Portland. Yet links between Willie Green and the Suns have been circulating, league sources say, because of Green's relationships with Mat Ishbia and Devin Booker.

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Jake Fischer: While Willie Green remains in place as New Orleans’ head coach, he’s been another name, in addition to the recently-extended Chauncey Billups, league figures have mentioned as a possible replacement in Phoenix, should the Suns make a change on their bench

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Shams Charania: New Orleans went 209-263 under Griffin's leadership, building a strong roster this season but suffering significant injuries. Pelicans coach Willie Green remains in place as the franchise holds a full search for the next lead basketball operations executive.

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