The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans are headed to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando for the 2019-20 NBA season restart, but both will reportedly be without a key assistant coach.
Per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, L.A. assistant Lionel Hollins was "red-flagged" due to a "not age-related" health concern and "understands this is the right decision." ESPN's Dave McMenamin additionally noted that Hollins would "continue to be an essential member of the team" and participate remotely throughout.
Hollins is in his first year on the Lakers bench, after previously serving as head coach for the Grizzlies (2008-13) and Nets (2014-16).
As for New Orleans, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Jeff Bzdelik informed the Pelicans he wouldn't travel. Bzdelik, known for being one of the league's sharpest defensive minds, joined New Orleans as associate head coach this season after spending most of the previous three seasons with the Houston Rockets.
Andrew Lopez of ESPN followed up to note that no decision has been made regarding the status of head coach Alvin Gentry, who at age 65, is among those at increased risk for severe illness if they contract the novel coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
