Gentry, who was interviewed by Pelicans executive vice president Mickey Loomis and general manager Dell Demps on Monday night in San Francisco, believes the opportunity to coach star forward Anthony Davis could be career defining, according to a source close to Gentry.
''He’s more than interested,’' the source said Thursday morning. ''He really believes that this is a job that would certainly define him as a coach because of the opportunity that it creates.
''Certainly this is one of those jobs that you feel is probably as good as any job available right now, no question. Even if there were no other jobs, it would still be the best.’'
It’s easy to see why Gentry wants the Pelicans job. It’s not very often the opportunity comes along to coach a once-in-a-generation talent like Davis at age 22. Gentry is the most in-demand coach on the market right now, with Chicago also rumored as a destination once the Bulls inevitably part ways with Thibodeau. But it sounds like there’s real mutual interest between the Pelicans and Gentry.
Reid’s report also says that the Pelicans will interview Gentry again after the Warriors’ season is over, which means they could be waiting almost another month, if Golden State makes the Finals. Who knows what will happen with Thibodeau or another candidate between now and then.