Report: Willie Green frontrunner for Pelicans' head coaching job

Phoenix Suns assistant Willie Green has emerged as a strong frontrunner for the New Orleans Pelicans' head coaching job, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

The 12-year NBA veteran has served as an assistant coach with the Suns since the start of the 2019-20 campaign. Green is the architect of Phoenix's defense, which ranks third in defensive rating this postseason.

Prior to his time in Phoenix, Green won back-to-back championships as a member of the Golden State Warriors coaching staff. He worked with the Warriors for three seasons between 2016 and 2019.

Following an underwhelming 31-41 season, the Pelicans parted ways with bench boss Stan Van Gundy after one year on the job. Green could potentially inherit a young core headlined by talented forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, along with Canadian guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

If hired, Green would become the third-youngest head coach in the NBA at 39 years old.