Joe Dumars Poised to Lead Pelicans Basketball Operations

NEW ORLEANS, La. — NBA Hall of Famer Joe Dumars is set to become the new president of basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.

Dumars, a two-time NBA champion as a player and a successful executive with the Detroit Pistons, is returning to his home state of Louisiana. His appointment comes after serving as the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations since 2022 and as chief strategy officer for the league from 2019 to 2022.

During his tenure with the Pistons from 2000 to 2014, Dumars helped construct the 2004 NBA Championship team and was awarded the executive of the year in 2003. Under his leadership, the Pistons achieved seven consecutive seasons with 50 or more wins, signing key players like Chauncey Billups and acquiring critical pieces through trades.

As he takes on his new role with the Pelicans, Dumars will collaborate closely with general manager Bryson Graham and head coach Willie Green. A primary focus will likely involve discussions with star forward Zion Williamson, who has struggled with injuries, playing only 45% of possible games since being drafted as the number one overall pick in 2019.

The Pelicans will need to address Williamson’s future, as he has yet to appear in the playoffs due to injuries sidelining him before the 2022 and 2024 postseason. This past season, the team finished with a dismal 21-61 record, ranking as the fourth-worst in the league.

David Griffin, the former executive vice president of basketball operations, was relieved of his duties on Monday after spending six seasons in the role. During Griffin’s leadership, the Pelicans recorded a 209-263 win-loss record and made two playoff appearances.

Pelicans owner Gayle Benson expressed in a statement, “This was a difficult decision, but one that I feel is necessary at this time to bring a fresh approach to our front office.” In her remarks, Benson emphasized the commitment to building a culture that would lead to sustainable success both on and off the court.

While Dumars is considered a frontrunner for this position, discussions between the Pelicans and Dumars are anticipated to conclude by the end of the week.

ESPN’s NBA insiders contributed to this report. More updates are expected as the situation develops.