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Pelicans rumors: Darvin Ham among coaches linked as potential Willie Green replacement
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- Pelicans rumors: Darvin Ham among coaches linked as potential Willie Green replacement
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The New Orleans Pelicans are facing a crossroads, and the conversation now shifts to life after firing Willie Green. With Green officially fired, attention turns to the growing list of replacements linked to the Pelicans head coach seat . One name rising fast is Darvin Ham . Another is Kevin Ollie. And according to Marc Stein, both candidates are drawing early interest as the Pelicans begins mapping out its future.
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Stein noted that Darvin Ham, currently an assistant with Milwaukee, has surfaced as a serious name to watch. His presence carries weight. In Los Angeles, he guided the Lakers through playoff storms, won a title as a player, and built the kind of locker-room command front offices covet. As the Pelicans re-evaluate their direction, they need stability . They need clarity. And they need someone who can keep stars aligned under the brightest lights. Ham checks many of those boxes.
Meanwhile, Ollie brings a different flavor, one rooted in development and culture. He won a national championship at UConn and later stepped in as interim head coach for the Nets, earning strong reviews. Moreover, Stein added that Troy Weaver, a respected voice in the Pelicans' decision-making orbit, has long admired Ollie's leadership style. That connection alone gives his candidacy real momentum as the search widens.
What the Pelicans Want Next
The Pelicans stand in a delicate moment. They have talent. They have youth. And yet the results have flattened, leading to Willie Green 's firing. That is why ownership is weighing every angle. They want a coach who can maximize Zion Williamson while elevating the supporting cast around him. Stronger late-game identity is also a priority. And above all, they need a voice that pushes the roster without breaking the room.
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Green leaves respected, but the Pelicans organization must decide which new voice becomes the missing spark. Ham offers championship framing. Ollie offers culture and development roots. Both represent a shift in tone, maybe even in ambition.
The pressure builds now. If the Pelicans want to rise in the West, which head coach will they trust to carry the climb?
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