Pelicans fire head of basketball operations David Griffin

April 14, 2025

The New Orleans Pelicans have fired executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin after six seasons, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

The team confirmed the move in a statement.

“After considerable thought and evaluation, I have decided to relieve David Griffin of his duties as executive vice president of basketball operations,” Pelicans owner Gayle Benson said 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 and build a culture that will deliver sustainable success, on and off the court.”

New Orleans finished the past season with a disappointing record of 21-61 following a slew of injuries to key players, including offseason acquisition Dejounte Murray and former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson.

Along with the firing of Griffin, it doesn’t take an NBA insider to know that the Pelicans are also weighing the future of coach Willie Green.

“New Orleans went 209-263 under Griffin’s leadership, building a strong roster this season but suffering significant injuries,” Charania wrote.

This is all something that was previously reported by Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

“This is his sixth season in charge and there are some in New Orleans, league sources say, who are undeniably bracing for his exit,” Stein and Fischer wrote.

They went on to call Green’s status “also tenuous.”

Green has compiled a 148-179 overall record in four seasons with the Pelicans, though they did reach the playoffs twice. They failed to get out of the first round either time.

Griffin, the architect of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ championship run in 2016, didn’t have the same good fortune in New Orleans, as Williamson has been injury-prone and unable to stay on the court.

Along with that, the Pelicans acquired Murray in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks last offseason, and like so many others, he spent most of his time on the injured list.

Overall, injuries forced the Pelicans to use 45 different lineups this season.