Joe Dumars and the Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing a deal to bring in Joe Dumars as their new president of basketball operations. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Dumars had already emerged as the leading candidate for the position earlier in the week.
Dumars, a Hall of Fame player, previously served as the Pistons’ top basketball executive from 2000 to 2014. During that time, he helped build a championship team and won the NBA Executive of the Year award in 2003. However, his later years in Detroit were marked by several missteps, including the infamous selection of Darko Milicic over future stars like Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade.
Following his time in Detroit, Dumars held various roles with the Sacramento Kings from 2019 to 2022, including a brief stint as interim head of basketball operations. Most recently, he worked in the NBA league office as executive VP of basketball operations.
A Louisiana native and former McNeese State standout, Dumars is returning to his home state to lead the Pelicans’ front office, replacing David Griffin, who was fired after the team finished with a 21-61 record.
Despite injury setbacks that impacted their 2024–25 season and may linger into next year, the Pelicans have a promising core. Players like Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, and Yves Missi are under contract for multiple seasons. Veteran CJ McCollum is entering the final year of his deal.
The franchise also holds all of its future first-round picks, plus additional assets from Indiana and Milwaukee. With a likely lottery pick in 2025, Dumars will have resources to reshape the roster.
One of his first decisions will likely involve head coach Willie Green, whose future with the team is uncertain pending Dumars’ evaluation.
Dumars faces the challenge of turning a historically underachieving franchise into a consistent contender. The Pelicans have only one 50-win season and two playoff series victories since their founding in 2002.
