NBA: Media: Pels hold coach Gentry

Alvin Gentry will continue to coach the New Orleans Pelicans in the coming season. According to media reports, the Pels front office took the team option in the Gentry contract.

This is reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The decision was made before the playoffs, General Manager Dell Demps is said to have informed Gentry before the post-season.

The options of the assistants Chris Finch and Fred Vinson were also drawn.

The Pelicans surprised in the first round of the playoffs when the only team of the post season made a sweep and sent the higher seeded Portland Trail Blazers around Damian Lillard on holiday. Now the winner is waiting between the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs, who are leading 3-1 in this series.

Gentry has been coach of the Pelicans since 2015 and led New Orleans to a record of 48-34 before the playoffs this season, securing the Louisiana franchise sixth place in the West. The 63-year-old has previously been head coach at the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers. In addition, he won a title as assistant to Steve Kerr at the Golden State Warriors 2015.