Gayle Benson and the Pelicans organization, I would like to thank Stan for the integrity and professionalism that he demonstrated during his time in New Orleans, as well as the commitment and work ethic he brought to our team,” Griffin said in a statement.
Pelicans assistant Fred Vinson will get serious consideration for the job, sources said.
“It was a hard year personally, because when I took the job, we didn’t know when training camp was going to start or any of that stuff,” Van Gundy said.
“But on a basketball level, I thought this was a great situation basketball-wise, and it’s better than what I thought it was.
New Orleans had been hopeful that Van Gundy would establish a defensive presence, but the results were far from that.
When things finally looked to be heading in the right direction, injuries to Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Zion Williamson derailed the team once again.
“We were a very young, developing basketball team.
But we also have to take a look at ourselves, front office, coaching, players.
Their 31-41 finish was just a one-game improvement from their 30-42 record in the shortened 2019-20 campaign, after which the team dismissed coach Alvin Gentry.
Van Gundy joins Nate Bjorkgren as coaches who’ve parted ways with their teams after being hired before the season.
However, Van Gundy had just one winning season in four years with the Detroit Pistons from 2014 to 2018.
With Scott Brooks also out with the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, there are now six head-coaching openings in the NBA: Boston, Indiana, New Orleans, Orlando, Portland and Washington.