Latest on coach Willie Green, Pelicans

Sunday’s 31-point loss at Oklahoma City added more fuel to an already burning discussion around Pelicans coach Willie Green.

At 0-6, New Orleans is one of just two winless teams left (along with the Nets). They already have three 30-point losses. And per Marc Stein of The Stein Line, there are real concerns about whether there is enough shooting or playmaking on this roster to even sniff the play-in.

Stein notes that Pelicans owner Gayle Benson is fond of Green — and there were whispers she pushed to keep him when Joe Dumars took over basketball ops. But even that loyalty has a shelf life.

The Pelicans sent an unprotected 2026 first to the Hawks to draft Derik Queen. You make that kind of gamble because you think you’re ready to win right now. At 0-6, patience is naturally thin.

One more detail from Stein that jumps off the page? New Orleans denied the Knicks permission this summer to interview associate head coach James Borrego for a lead assistant role under Mike Brown. There were whispers the Pelicans wanted Borrego in place in case a coaching change became necessary.

It feels early to pull the plug. But the way this has started — and the draft capital the Pelicans already burned — means the temperature under Green may not be cooling anytime soon.