Report: Pelicans to hire Jamahl Mosley as head coach

The New Orleans Pelicans are set to announce former Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley as their next head coach, ESPN reported Monday.

The two sides have the framework of a five-year contract in place, but made no official agreement was confirmed by the team.

He would replace Willie Green, who was fired Nov. 15 after a 2-10 start. Former Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego filled the role the rest of the season.

Mosley was a veteran NBA assistant coach when he was named head coach of the Magic before the 2020-21 season. After two sub-.500 finishes, Orlando qualified for the playoffs the past three campaigns but never advanced out of the first round.

Mosley was fired May 4, the day after the Magic were eliminated from the playoffs by the Detroit Pistons in a series that lasted seven games. After four, the Magic held a 3-1 series lead.

With Orlando, Mosley had a 189-221 record, 7-12 in the postseason.

The Pelicans were 150-190 in five seasons under Green. They finished 49-33 and qualified as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference at the end of the 2023-24 season. The No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder swept them in the first round, and New Orleans plummeted to 21-61 the following season.

Milwaukee Bucks assistant coaches Darvin Ham and Rajon Rondo, Borrego and Brooklyn Nets assistant Steve Hetzel were among those who also interviewed for the New Orleans job, ESPN reported.

Orlando has not hired a replacement for Mosley.

--Field Level Media