Pelicans Fire David Griffin Amid Search for New Executive

New Orleans, LA — The New Orleans Pelicans have dismissed executive vice president David Griffin, ending his six-season tenure marked by struggles with team performance and injuries. The announcement came on Monday following a disappointing 2024-25 season, where the Pelicans finished with a 21-61 record, the fourth-worst in the NBA.

Under Griffin’s leadership, the Pelicans posted a record of 209-263 and made two playoff appearances. However, the team’s inconsistent play and injuries to key players, including star forward Zion Williamson, led to mounting frustrations among fans and executives alike. Team owner Gayle Benson noted in a statement, “This was a difficult decision but necessary to bring in a fresh approach to our front office and build a culture that will deliver sustainable success.”

Williamson, who Griffin drafted first overall in 2019, has only played 214 regular-season games in six years due to ongoing injury issues. His absence has significantly impacted the team’s performance, contributing to their failure to establish consistent competitiveness in the league.

Griffin’s time with the Pelicans included notable trades, such as sending Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers and acquiring Brandon Ingram, who was later traded away. Despite drafting several promising players, including Trey Murphy and Herb Jones, the Pelicans never found the right combinations to bounce back effectively from setbacks.

“I am committed to hiring the right person to lead our basketball operations department and deliver an NBA Championship to our city,” Benson added. Reports suggest that former NBA champion and executive Joe Dumars, currently the league’s executive vice president, is a frontrunner to take Griffin’s place. Dumars, a native of Louisiana, built the 2004 championship roster for the Detroit Pistons and is expected to engage in discussions to finalize a deal by the week’s end.

Throughout Griffin’s tenure, the Pelicans cycled through three head coaches, with Willie Green currently holding the position. While Green was perceived to be on the hot seat, no announcement regarding his status has yet been made.

With the Pelicans’ fourth-worst finish, they now have a 12.5% chance of securing the number one pick in the upcoming draft and potentially acquiring top prospect Cooper Flagg.

Griffin, once among the most coveted executives in basketball, previously worked with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns. His era in New Orleans, filled with both promise and disappointment, ultimately closed as the team searches for a new direction in its front office.