Report: Assistant Beyer leaving Kings for Pelicans job originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Luke Walton will have to fill an opening on his coaching staff.
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, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday, citing sources.
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).
Between stints with Van Gundy, Beyer worked as an assistant for the Warriors in 2012-13 and the Charlotte Bobcats in 2013-14.
Beyer came to the Kings from the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he spent one season as an assistant coach for Billy Donovan.
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 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.
