Bucks assistant Charles Lee and Suns assistant Willie Green have emerged as “prominent” candidates for the Pelicans’ coaching vacancy, per Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Both also have been linked to the Magic coaching vacancy, and Lee is said to be among the finalists for the Wizards’ opening as well. Lee and Green are currently on opposing sidelines for the NBA Finals.
Lee, 36, has been an assistant under Mike Budenholzer since 2014, first with the Hawks. Like Budenholzer, Lee has been with the Bucks since 2018. He has never been a head coach.
Green, 39, has been an assistant coach since 2016, first with Steve Kerr and the Warriors. He has been an assistant under Monty Williams with the Suns since 2019. Before that, he spent 12 years (2003-15) in the NBA as a guard with the 76ers, Hornets, Hawks, Clippers and Magic.
Pelicans head of basketball operations David Griffin is looking to replace Stan Van Gundy, who was let go after just one season. Nets assistant Jacque Vaughn was once considered a top candidate for the job before deciding to remove his name from coaching searches.
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