New Orleans Pelicans officially appoints Jamahl Mosley as their new head coach..

The New Orleans Pelicans announced on their official website Tuesday that they have appointed former Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley as their new head coach.

According to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania, Mosley has signed on a long-term five-year contract with the team.

The Pelicans did consider appointing Rajon Rondo as their new head coach, but after careful consideration, they decided against it.

Besides Rondo, the Pelicans also approached Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Steve Hetzel and interim head coach James Borrego.

Shams also revealed that the Pelicans' management had maintained close contact with Mosley since his firing by the Magic, and both parties met in person at last week's NBA draft to finalize the agreement.

The Pelicans believe their current situation is similar to when Mosley took over the rebuilding Orlando Magic in 2021, after a 21-win season. Under his leadership and development plan, the team's record improved year after year, ultimately reaching the playoffs.

The 47-year-old Mosley finished second in the 2023/24 Coach of the Year voting. During his time coaching the Magic, he achieved 189 regular season wins, ranking third in franchise history.

Before his arrival, the Magic had not made the playoffs three consecutive times since 2006/07 to 2011/12.

Mosley's teams are built around a strong defense. The Magic ranked third in defensive efficiency in the league in 2023/24, second in 2024/25, and eleventh this season.

In the past three seasons, despite being plagued by injuries, Mosley successfully led the Magic to the playoffs three consecutive times.

However, on May 4th, after the Magic lost Game 7 of their first-round playoff series, having led the series by 3-1, to the Detroit Pistons, Mosley was fired.

During his five seasons coaching in Orlando, Mosley achieved a record of 189 wins and 221 losses.

In New Orleans, Mosley will take over a complex roster, featuring young talents like Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears and Yves Missi as well as veterans such as Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole, Dejounte Murray and Herbert Jones.

The New Orleans Pelicans finished last season with a 26-56 record. Having traded their first-round pick on draft day last year (which they used to trade up for Queen), they only have one draft pick left in this June's draft — the 58th overall pick.

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