New NBA Rumors Link Rajon Rondo to Pelicans HC Search After Stint With Doc Rivers, Bucks

Former NBA player Rajon Rondo is reportedly among the potential candidates for the New Orleans Pelicans' head-coaching vacancy.

According to NBA reporters Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, "League sources say Rondo has been interviewed for the post after serving as a special assistant on Doc Rivers' Milwaukee staff. Rondo is said to have felt his first coaching itch while recovering from a torn ACL as a Boston Celtic, prompting Brad Stevens to bring him into staff meetings."

Per that report, the Pelicans "have begun formal outreach to candidates they plan to pursue in addition to interim coach James Borrego," which reportedly include a number of current assistants—San Antonio's Sean Sweeney, Milwaukee's Darvin Ham and Brooklyn's Steve Hetzel.

The Pelicans have also reportedly requested permission to interview Detroit Pistons assistant Jarrett Jack, a former player for the organization.

Rondo, 40, spent 16 years in the NBA with the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers. He was a four-time All-Star, two-time champion and led the NBA in assists three times.

He's also long been considered a very bright basketball mind.

"I think most players watch one game and think they are prepared," Rivers said of Rondo back in 2018, noting that he watched more film than any other player he ever coached. "Rondo watched 10 games and was as prepared as a coach. That made him different."

"He knows all the plays, knows all the actions and can think two, three moves ahead," Kobe Bryant once added of Rondo. "He's freakishly smart."

There's little doubt Rondo could handle the Xs and Os side of coaching. He was also famously very fiery, clashing at times with coaches, so how he handled the people management side of the job would be another question.

New Orleans could certainly use a new approach and perspective after a 26-56 season. Rondo would be an ambitious, if risky, hire in that effort.