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5 NBA head coaches on the hot seat as the playoffs approach

ByDaniel Lubofsky|
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers and Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans greet each other before the start of a basketball game at Staples Center April 11, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers and Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans greet each other before the start of a basketball game at Staples Center April 11, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

4. Alvin Gentry

The New Orleans Pelicans surprised many last April under Alvin Gentry following a postseason upset en route to their first appearance in the second round since the 2007-08 season.

Rather than build on that momentum, New Orleans appears to have gone in the opposite direction with a record of just 30-39, good for 12th-best in the Western Conference. In fairness, injuries have played a part, but they also flared up last season, leaving little to no excuse for the Pelicans not to at least be contending for the eighth seed.

Due to their ineptitude, franchise megastar Anthony Davis requested a trade prior to the deadline with little to no desire to play in New Orleans after his contract expires at the end of next season. The Pelicans didn’t trade him then, but barring a miracle, they will in the offseason, signaling a new direction for a franchise that has yet to place itself in the conference finals.

Gentry has nearly three decades worth of coaching experience in the NBA that make him a qualified head coaching option, but he was brought in under a different set of circumstances, tasked with elevating the Pelicans to new heights following their first round loss to the Golden State Warriors back in 2015.

Now, things are different. New Orleans will likely receive a package of talented youngsters and draft picks in exchange for AD, and seeing as how former general manager Dell Demps was recently let go, ownership may feel the desire to clean house as they’re set to usher in a new era of basketball down near the bayou.