Pelicans Finalizing Deal To Make Joe Dumars Head Of Basketball Operations

The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing a deal to hire Joe Dumars as the franchise’s new president of basketball operations, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

The agreement is expected to be completed by the end of the week, barring any setbacks. Charania reported Monday that Dumars had emerged as a leading candidate for the job shortly after the Pelicans parted ways with executive vice president David Griffin, who spent six seasons with the organization.

Dumars, 60, is currently the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations. He previously served as general manager of the Detroit Pistons from 2000 to 2014, overseeing the team’s 2004 championship run. A Hall of Famer and former NBA champion as a player, Dumars spent his entire 14-year playing career with the Pistons. He also held a front office role with the Sacramento Kings in 2020.

“This was a difficult decision, but one that I feel is necessary at this time to bring a fresh approach to our front office and build a culture that will deliver sustainable success, on and off the court,” Pelicans owner Gayle Benson said in a statement regarding Griffin’s dismissal. “I am committed to hiring the right person to lead our basketball operations department and deliver an NBA Championship to our city. That is what our fans deserve.”

With Dumars nearing an agreement to take over basketball operations, the future of head coach Willie Green remains uncertain. While Green is expected to be retained for now, the decision on whether he returns for a fifth season will likely fall to Dumars.

Green has compiled a 148-179 record over four seasons, guiding New Orleans to two postseason appearances. The Pelicans failed to advance beyond the first round in either instance. They went 21-61 in 2024-25, hampered by injuries to key players throughout the season.

“I haven’t had any discussions, any talks yet,” Green told reporters prior to Griffin’s firing. “I didn’t do great. I have to take full ownership of where we are as a team. We failed. I failed.”