Michael Malone Chooses Tar Heels Over Pelicans

Michael Malone is leaving the NBA for Chapel Hill, taking his first college job in more than 20 years after a long run in the pros. He was reportedly a top target for the New Orleans Pelicans, per On3's Pete Nakos, but chose North Carolina instead. Malone built Denver into a title winner in 2023 and was surprisingly dismissed 79 games into last season while the team sat 47-32. As ESPN’s Shams Charania put it, "Everyone was shocked by the timing of this." Merlin sees UNC placing a high bet on pro experience to remake a program that just fired Hubert Davis and will hire its first coach with no Tar Heel ties in 74 years. Malone’s championship pedigree could modernize recruiting and tactics, yet turning NBA habits into college wins will take time. The Pelicans lose a candidate and the Tar Heels accept a transitional season on faith.