3 perfect head coach candidates the Pelicans should pair with Zion Williamson

2. Rick Carlisle

Sometimes, you can receive a gift from the most unexpected places. In this case, the Pelicans received a present courtesy of their division rivals in the Dallas Mavericks.

Less than 24 hours after the team fired general manager Donnie Nelson, Rick Carlisle announced his decision to step down as head coach. While an ESPN report indicated that Carlisle had a tense relationship with star Luka Doncic, Carlisle’s track record is just too good to pass up.

Carlisle arrived in Dallas to coach the Mavericks after a two-year stint with the Detroit Pistons (2001-03) and four years with the Indiana Pacers (2003-07). He had immediate success with the Mavericks, leading them to the playoffs in his first two years. But his third season was most impressive, as he led the team to its first NBA championship by defeating the Miami Heat’s Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in six games.

Overall, Carlisle had a 555-478 overall record in his 13 years with the Mavericks along with posting 33-38 record in the NBA Playoffs.

New Orleans presents itself as a desirable destination for Carlisle. He’d go from coaching one superstar in Doncic to another in Williamson. He has the resume that the Pelicans desperately need to bring aboard, and they should not hesitate in trying to hire him, because there is going to be some stiff competition for his services.