DeMarcus Cousins trade saved the jobs of Pelicans’ coach and GM

For the New Orleans Pelicans, head coach Alvin Gentry and general manager Dell Demps will both retain their jobs this summer, the New Orleans Advocate reported Monday. Both were in danger of losing their jobs this season, but a trade deadline deal for DeMarcus Cousins appears to have saved them for the time being.

Gentry was hired in 2015 while Demps has been running the front office in New Orleans since 2010. However, the Pelicans have missed the playoffs in two consecutive seasons, a disappointing result after New Orleans made the playoffs and appeared to be a team on the rise during the 2014-15 season. The Pelicans have one of the league’s best players, Anthony Davis, but they won only 34 games last season despite his best year yet.

Things didn’t improve after the Cousins trade, with the team often struggling when him and Davis were on the floor together. However, the potential of bringing two All-NBA players together on the same team meant Demps and Gentry were both kept around. The Advocate reported the trade and Gentry’s “developing relationship” with Cousins was a factor in keeping things the same.

Gentry was Cousins’ seventh head coach in seven seasons, with the Kings’ head coaching position being a complete turnstile. This season will be only the third in Cousins’ career where he will enter training camp with the same head coach who coached him the previous season. Consistency might be what the immensely talented big man needs, and Cousins saw emotional development after the trade by picking up only one technical foul, despite racking up 16 to begin the season in Sacramento.

Still, neither Gentry or Demps should considered their jobs secure headed into next season. With Cousins having one year left on his contract, the Pelicans need to be successful or he could leave next summer.