Rajon Rondo among 4 finalists for Pelicans head coaching job, with 1 wild card still out there

The New Orleans Pelicans are closing in on their next head coach. After firing Willie Green and spending most of the season with James Borrego as interim head coach, the Pelicans have narrowed their coaching search down to four finalists, according to the Athletic’s Sam Amick.

Milwaukee Bucks assistant Darvin Ham, Brooklyn Nets assistant Steve Hetzel, San Antonio Spurs associate head coach Sean Sweeney, and Bucks coaching associate Rajon Rondo have separated themselves as the leading candidates for the job.

Jamahl Mosley could also join the group after the Orlando Magic fired him following a first-round loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Pelicans are expected to show interest in Mosely, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.

Rajon Rondo joins experienced coaches on list of finalists for Pelicans job

Ham is the only finalist for the Pelicans’ opening with head-coaching experience. The 52-year-old served as the Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach from 2022 to 2024 before returning to the Bucks to serve as a lead assistant under Doc Rivers.

Meanwhile, Hetzel had extended stints as an assistant with the Charlotte Hornets, Magic and Portland Trail Blazers before joining the Nets in 2024. He’s served as Jordi Fernandez’s top assistant for the last two seasons.

Sweeney had stints with the Bucks, Pistons and Dallas Mavericks before joining the Spurs as an associate head coach on Mitch Johnson’s staff this season.

Rondo is the biggest household name among the candidates, but also has the least coaching experience. After wrapping up a 16-year playing career in 2022, the four-time All-Star and two-time champion joined the Bucks as a coaching associate under Doc Rivers before the 2024-25 season.

Rondo played one season with the Pelicans, starting 63 games in 2017-18.

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