The Pelicans have fired EVP David Griffin after six seasons as the “head of basketball operations” for the franchise. The Pelicans went 209-263 under Griffin’s leadership, with “two postseason appearances during that span.” The Pelicans finished this season at 21-61 -- the fourth-worst record in the league, ahead of only the Jazz (17-65), Wizards (18-64) and Hornets (19-63). Griffin’s “tenure was marked by” the trade of F Anthony Davis to the Lakers in 2019 and the drafting of F Zion Williamson in 2019 with the No. 1 overall pick (ESPN.com, 4/14).
Basketball HOFer Joe Dumars is a “serious frontrunner” to take over the role of “lead basketball executive” with the Pelicans, according to sources. Dumars, the 2003 NBA Executive of the Year and 2004 championship exec with the Pistons, currently serves as the NBA’s EVP & Head of Basketball Operations. Sources said that the Pelicans and Dumars are “expected to engage in conversations to finalize a deal by the end of the week” (X, 4/14).
