Joe Dumars On Pelicans’ Future: ‘We’re Not Here To Be Happy With Mediocrity’

When Joe Dumars took the reins as the Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations in April, he made it clear: fixing New Orleans’ persistent injury problems would be a top priority.

Now, after several weeks on the job, Dumars says the team has launched a thorough review of its medical and rehab operations — part of an effort to better understand what went wrong and what must change.

“We’ve assessed every single injury to every single player,” Dumars said in an interview with The Times-Picayune’s Rod Walker. “We’ve gone back over every one and tried to decipher what was a fluke, and what we might’ve been able to handle better internally.”

That self-audit, Dumars added, is still ongoing. The front office is now holding weekly meetings to track the rehab progress of several key players, including Dejounte Murray (Achilles), Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy (both recovering from shoulder surgeries). Dumars said all three remain on schedule in their recoveries, though there’s “nothing new to report.”

The Pelicans have been among the NBA’s most injury-riddled teams in recent years, often struggling to keep their core intact long enough to make a sustained postseason push. Dumars appears intent on reversing that trend with a more hands-on, comprehensive approach.

“If this team is healthy, it’s a team that can compete,” he said. “So that becomes critical-making sure we’re doing everything we can to put the healthiest team on the floor.”

Raising the Bar

Beyond health, Dumars has a broader vision for the franchise. That vision includes a sharper identity, a higher standard of professionalism, and, above all else, winning.

“We want to be a team that’s viewed not only as a winner, but as a first-class organization,” he said. “That’s about how you work, how you treat people, and what kind of standards you set every day in the building.”

Dumars, a Louisiana native and Hall of Fame guard, said he’s not interested in comparing the current regime to the past, only in raising expectations and reshaping the Pelicans’ culture.

“We’re not here to be happy with mediocrity,” he said. “We’re here to raise the bar.”

Tying Team Identity to the City

Dumars also believes a great team should mirror its city — tough, proud, and unrelenting.

“I’m from Louisiana. I know the resilience here. People aren’t quitting,” he said. “That’s not the personality of New Orleans. I want our team to reflect that.”

He pointed to teams like the Bad Boy Pistons, the Showtime Lakers, and the Oklahoma City Thunder as examples of how style of play can align with local identity. He wants the Pelicans to follow suit.

“Fans should be able to look at this team and say, ‘Yeah, that represents us.’ That’s what I want.”

While Dumars has made it clear Zion Williamson remains a central piece of the Pelicans’ future — and expressed confidence in coach Willie Green — his early tone signals that the status quo won’t cut it. Not in the medical room. Not on the court. Not in the front office.

“We intend to push for this team to try to max out,” he said. “Because there’s real talent here. And it’s time we get everything out of it.”