HoopsHype.com Rumors

It's no wonder then that Malone's name has floated to the top of the early lists of candidates for the Clippers job, now that Vinny Del Negro has officially been let go. The lead assistant for the Golden State Warriors has always been regarded as a shrewd tactician, but the extra warm fuzzy feelings from Paul don't hurt his case. Williams, for one, thinks his time is overdue. "You don't know what it takes to get a job. It's not just about basketball all the time. But I just hope, I hope that he gets a job soon," Williams told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "I know he really wants to do it, and I know he'll be a really good head coach. The tough part is knowing I gotta coach against him because I know he really knows his stuff." ESPN.com

New Orleans Pelicans, Coaching, Monty Williams, Mike Malone 

It should be noted that Malone also has a reputation for standing up a bit too forcefully at times. Williams said he appreciated that fire, though. "I've really grown from the coaches around me who aren't afraid to voice their opinions," Williams said. "Mike was smart enough, he knew the game well enough to give me something that was going to help the team that didn't have anything to do with him. "I can only base it on my experience with him. I was the head coach and I know that he made me a better head coach. He's certainly a guy that can run a team." ESPN.com

New Orleans Pelicans, Coaching, Monty Williams, Mike Malone 

Greivis Vasquez: Gracias a Dios todo salio bien.. Everything went well.. Twitter @greivisvasquez

New Orleans Pelicans, Greivis Vasquez, Injuries 

Jeff Zillgitt: Pelicans point guard Greivis Vasquez had right ankle surgery to remove bone spurs today. Will begin rehab immediately, team says. Twitter @JeffZillgitt

New Orleans Pelicans, Greivis Vasquez, Injuries 

New Orleans Pelicans starting point guard Greivis Vasquez is scheduled to undergo minor surgery on Friday to remove loose particles from both ankles, a league source confirmed Thursday night. The surgery, which will occur in Los Angeles, is similar to what starting shooting guard Eric Gordon underwent earlier this month to remove bone spurs in his left ankle. There was no confirmation of Vasquez’s possible recovery time, but El Universal, a newspaper based in Caracas, Venezuela reported that he is expected to be sidelined 12 to 16 weeks. If that's the case, Vasquez would be fully recovered before training camp begins in October. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Pelicans, Greivis Vasquez, Injuries 

Anthony Davis, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA draft, might be dating one of the Gonzalez twins. Which Gonzalez twin? I’m not certain. If you missed our story last month, the Gonzalez twins – two high school seniors who will be attending Kansas next year (with Andrew Wiggins!) – have already taken the baton from Skylar Diggins as the biggest deal in women’s college basketball for 2013-2014. The Big Lead

New Orleans Pelicans, Anthony Davis 

Marc Stein: Also hearing Hornets bigs Anthony Davis and Ryan Anderson have likewise been invited to Team USA mini-camp in late July in Las Vegas Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

New Orleans Pelicans, USA Basketball, Team USA, Ryan Anderson, Anthony Davis 

Multiple reports from Venezuela indicate that New Orleans Pelicans point guard Greivis Vasquez will undergo a cleanup procedure on both ankles in the coming days. Loose material in his ankles bothered the guard as the season neared its close. Bourbon Street Shots

New Orleans Pelicans, Greivis Vasquez, Injuries 

Rick Bonnell: There's a misconception Hornets name change took less than 18 months. Benson made request even before closing on purchase. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, New Orleans Pelicans, Michael Jordan, Tom Benson, Charlotte Hornets 

Jim Eichenhofer: Dell Demps on move flexibility with 6th pick: "We're going to look at every angle to give us the best opportunity to make our team better." Twitter @Jim_Eichenhofer

New Orleans Pelicans, Draft, Dell Demps 

Jim Eichenhofer: Monty Williams on one reason he's not overly disappointed by lottery: "There are still quality players you have an opportunity to pick." Twitter @Jim_Eichenhofer

New Orleans Pelicans, Draft, Monty Williams 

Coaching sources have maintained for weeks that Golden State assistant Michael Malone will be high on the Clippers' list since he and Paul have a good relationship from their days together in New Orleans, where Malone was an assistant under Monty Williams. Paul holds Malone in very high regard, as does James, his friend and agency-mate at CAA. Speaking of Williams, word is that Paul would love to join forces with him in L.A., but Williams is under contract and the chances of him being made available to discuss a lateral move are remote. CBSSports.com

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Chris Paul, Coaching, Monty Williams, Mike Malone 

Jimmy Smith: Source says rumors regarding possible Eric Gordon trade by #pelicans have no merit. Twitter @JimmySmith504

New Orleans Pelicans, Trade, Eric Gordon 

Since the regular season ended just more than a month ago, New Orleans Pelicans backup guard Brian Roberts hasn’t paid much attention to the upcoming NBA draft lottery set for Tuesday night. But whether the Pelicans pick up the option on Roberts' contract to retain him could largely depend on where they are slotted for the upcoming June 27 NBA draft. The Pelicans have only an 8.8 percent chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick going into the lottery. But they have a 26.15 percent chance of staying at the fifth spot, where several mock drafts have them selecting Michigan point guard Trey Burke. Most have Burke, 6-feet, 190, being taken no higher than fifth and not lower than seventh. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Pelicans, Brian Roberts 

``Right now I’m just trying to see how things play out,’’ Roberts said. ``I haven’t talked to coach or management about that kind of stuff as of yet. But I’m pretty confident something can be worked out.’’ New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Pelicans, Brian Roberts 

The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans have announced today the hiring of Doug Tatum as the Executive Director of Digital Media. Tatum joins the organization after having served 13 years, first as deputy then as lead sports editor, for the state’s largest newspaper, The Times-Picayune. Most recently, Tatum helped usher NOLA.com through a transition phase that saw the reduction of The Times-Picayune from a daily newspaper to a more digitally focused endeavor. NBA.com

New Orleans Pelicans, Doug Tatum 

HIs Holiness the Dalai Lama, metaphorical manifestation of the bodhisattva of compassion, has worn a Pelicans hat to express his support. Yahoo! Sports

New Orleans Pelicans, Dalai Lama 

The Dalai Lama is currently touring the United States and is speaking several times in New Orleans through Saturday. (There's a livestream available at NOLA.com, if you care to watch.) It's unclear exactly who gave him the hat, or what he thinks of Hugo the Hornet, but putting on sends a message. The forces of peace and understanding are on the side of the Pelicans. Yahoo! Sports

New Orleans Pelicans, Dalai Lama 

Chris Mannix: Kansas's Ben McLemore says his first three interviews were Cleveland, Minnesota and New Orleans. Twitter @ChrisMannixSI

Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, Draft, Ben McLemore 

Rated by most as the top point guard in the 2013 NBA draft, Trey Burke said he's already had interviews with the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans this week at the NBA draft combine. Booth Newspapers

Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, Draft, Trey Burke