Joe Dumars Introduced as Pelicans Executive VP, Future of Team Uncertain

METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Joe Dumars was introduced as the New Orleans Pelicans’ new executive vice president of basketball operations during a press conference on Tuesday. Dumars, a Hall of Famer, replaces David Griffin, who was fired last week after a six-year tenure marked by the drafting of star player Zion Williamson.

During his introduction, Dumars spoke briefly about Williamson, mentioning previous conversations they had. “At the league office, I’ve had to talk to Zion a few times,” he said, declining to go into detail. Dumars has since communicated with Williamson and described their discussions as “exceptional.”

The Pelicans have struggled since they drafted Williamson first overall out of Duke in 2019. The team has made the playoffs only twice, losing in the first round each time. The franchise finished this past season with its worst record in two decades at 21-61. Injuries have hampered Williamson, causing him to miss 258 regular-season games and every postseason game since his selection.

“You have to set standards — and you can’t waver from those standards,” Dumars stated, addressing the need for accountability among players. He emphasized the importance of not allowing issues to slide, which he believes affects overall performance. Dumars’ stance comes amid reports of off-the-court incidents involving Williamson that may have factored into his prior communications with the young star.

Coach Willie Green was present at the press conference, with his future with the team still unclear as he has one year left on his contract. Dumars was complimentary of Green, saying, “I’ve been knowing Willie forever — great man.”

Reports indicate that Dumars plans to evaluate the current team and its management structure. He highlighted the need to understand the organization better before making any definitive changes. “Griff did some nice stuff,” he said. “You got some nice pieces here. It’s a hard job.”

Pelicans owner Gayle Benson expressed her confidence in Dumars, calling him an honest communicator and commending his Louisiana roots. “He knows how important our teams are to our community,” she said, noting her conversations with Dumars about local values and the team’s significance.

Dumars acknowledged his unexpected opportunity, stating, “Sometimes opportunities come along and, you know, right place, right time, right people.” He expressed his desire to cultivate a culture that embraces New Orleans, emphasizing the need for alignment among team members.