Source: Assistant Bob Beyer leaving Kings to join Pelicans’ staff
Luke Walton will have to fill an opening on his coaching staff.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Bob Beyer, who spent the 2019-20 NBA season as an assistant coach for Walton, is joining Stan Van Gundy's staff with the New Orleans Pelicans, a league source confirmed to NBC Sports California’s James Ham on Saturday night.» data-reactid=»22″>Bob Beyer, who spent the 2019-20 NBA season as an assistant coach for Walton, is joining Stan Van Gundy’s staff with the New Orleans Pelicans, a league source confirmed to NBC Sports California’s James Ham on Saturday night.
NBA source confirms that Bob Beyer has left the Kings. Solid defensive coach. Heading to the Pelicans. @wojespn first with news. Luke Walton is in line for another new assistant coach.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBCS) November 1, 2020
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported news of Beyer leaving the Kings.
Sacramento assistant Bob Beyer is joining Stan Van Gundy’s coaching staff in New Orleans, sources tell ESPN. Beyer had been with SVG on his staffs in Orlando and Detroit.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 31, 2020
This will be Beyer’s third tour of duty working for Van Gundy, who he previously worked for in Orlando (2007 to 2012) and Detroit (2014 to 2018).
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Between stints with Van Gundy, Beyer worked as an assistant for the Warriors in 2012-13 and the Charlotte Bobcats in 2013-14.» data-reactid=»27″>Between stints with Van Gundy, Beyer worked as an assistant for the Warriors in 2012-13 and the Charlotte Bobcats in 2013-14.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Beyer came to the Kings from the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he spent one season as an assistant coach for Billy Donovan.» data-reactid=»28″>Beyer came to the Kings from the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he spent one season as an assistant coach for Billy Donovan.
<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="With Beyer reportedly leaving the Kings, Walton's staff consists of associate head coach Alvin Gentry and assistant coaches Jesse Mermuys and Roy Rana. Sacramento also has five assistant coaches for player development and one advance scout/assistant coach.» data-reactid=»29″>With Beyer reportedly leaving the Kings, Walton’s staff consists of associate head coach Alvin Gentry and assistant coaches Jesse Mermuys and Roy Rana. Sacramento also has five assistant coaches for player development and one advance scout/assistant coach.
Bob Beyer’s departure for New Orleans, per ESPN, is the second from Luke Walton’s staff, following Igor Kokoskov. Beyer was credited for his work when the Kings played some of their best defense. Alvin Gentry replaces Kokoskov. Curious as to how Walton handles this loss.
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) October 31, 2020
<h5 class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="RELATED: What Kerr believes Gentry brings to Kings» data-reactid=»31″>RELATED: What Kerr believes Gentry brings to Kings
Van Gundy recently was hired by the Pelicans after they fired Gentry following his fifth season as head coach.
It remains to be seen if Walton and new general manager Monte McNair will promote a player development coach to assistant or hire a more experienced coach from outside the organization.