Projecting best hires for remaining NBA head coach vacancies

Nets fans will forever be indebted to Atkinson for taking the team from the gutter to the playoffs thanks to his skill at developing point guards and his ability to install a fun, fast, three-point centric offense. Unfortunately, Sean Marks wasn’t pleased with how Atkinson was performing with Kyrie Irving at the heart of his offense. Brooklyn’s loss could be New Orleans’ gain, as Atkinson is the ideal coach for a young Pelicans team looking for a strong leader to catapult them to the next level.

While it’s reasonable to wonder how Zion Williamson will fit into an offensive scheme that favors small ball and shooting from deep, but Atkinson developing Jarrett Allen into a premier rim-runner should have Pelicans fans excited when thinking about what he could become in Atkinson’s offense.

Lonzo Ball’s play hit a snag in the bubble, but Atkinson’s work with D’Angelo Russell, Caris LeVert, and Spencer Dinwiddie are evidence of his ability to develop point guards. Alvin Gentry is a very sharp offensive mind, but Atkinson’s ability to blend schematic skill with player development would make him an ideal hire for New Orleans.