Weaver, Mosley Linked to Pelicans NBA Coaching Job

Sydney Kings coach Will Weaver has been linked to the vacant New Orleans Pelicans head coaching job, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

Weaver guided the Kings to a 20-8 record last season, best in the NBL, while Sydney fell just two wins short of winning the championship.

Speaking on the Hoop Collective podcast, Windhorst explained how a number of connections to the Pelicans franchise could see Weaver land on the club’s coaching staff.

“I have heard a sort of underrated name there, Will Weaver, who right now coaches the Sydney Kings of the Australian league,” Windhorst said.

“He was previously with the (Brooklyn) Nets and the Long Island Nets with Trajan Langdon, who is the GM underneath (David) Griffin there.

“And in this last year, the Pelicans had a draft pick, Didi Louzada, who was like the 35th pick last year, a guard, they sent him down to Sydney partially due to the connection between Trajan Langdon and Will Weaver.

“Whether or not he’s a legitimate candidate for the lead job or as an assistant, this is super duper important.”

New Orleans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin attended multiple Sydney games this past season and has praised the way the Kings helped develop Louzada. Combined with his pre-existing relationship with Langdon, Weaver is seemingly thought of highly amongst the Pelicans organisation.

Another name that has been linked to the New Orleans coaching job is former Victorian Titans and Giants star Jamahl Mosley.

Mosley played for Victoria from 2001-2003 and has since been on coaching staffs with the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks.

“I’m going to mention one name that I think is going to be a candidate there,” ESPN reporter Tim McMahon said.

“I definitely think fits the mould as far as being someone who is extremely popular with players, is great at developing relationships with players and has some history with David Griffin, that’s Jamahl Mosley, the assistant with Dallas.

“He is Luka’s (Doncic) go-to guy. He is the Mavericks defensive coordinator, which is, you know, his job in that role is to make chicken salad out of chicken feathers. Mosley’s interviewed for several other jobs. I believe he is going to interview with the Pelicans. I don’t want to be firm on that.

“One thing about Mosley, he can command respect in a room. And he’s one of the few assistant coaches who, if it’s a back alley brawl with NBA players, I’m going to bet on him 95 percent of the time.”

The Pelicans are led by 20-year-old phenom Zion Williamson. They finished with a 30-42 record this past season, 13^th in the Western Conference.

(H/T to thebirdwrites.com for quotes)