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New Orleans Pelicans: 5 Best Options to Replace Monty Williams

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 25, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams talks with forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams talks with forward Anthony Davis (23) during the first half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Michael Malone watches from the sideline against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Michael Malone watches from the sideline against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Michael Malone

The second-best available is former Sacramento Kings head coach Michael Malone. He may not have the greatest Win-Loss record, but he’s a widely respected strategist who was let go too soon by the Kings.

Schematically, Malone can take Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans to new heights.

Malone has familiarity with the organization, which is a great launching pad for potential discussions. He served as an assistant coach in New Orleans during the 2010-11 NBA season.

New Orleans’ scoring defense improved by 8.7 points allowed per game from 2009-10 to 2010-11. The main difference: Malone was hired as an assistant.

His tenure with the Kings may have left a sour taste of some mouths, but the players didn’t want him to be fired. Sacramento was 11-13 when he was let go, overcoming an injury to DeMarcus Cousins to do what it hadn’t in quite some time: remain close to .500.

For the Pelicans, hiring Malone would mean committing to a bright future with a dominant defensive mentality.

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