The New Orleans Pelicans held a formal interview with Jeff Van Gundy on Tuesday.

Van Gundy and Pelicans' officials met in the Bay Area to discuss the opening.

The sides had spoken over the phone, but this was the first face-to-face meeting, league sources said.

New Orleans general manager Dell Demps met with another candidate, Golden State assistant Alvin Gentry, in the Bay Area prior to the start of the Western Conference finals.

The Pelicans have been researching his successful seasons as head coach of the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks.