Pelicans Hiring Troy Weaver To Executive Role In Revamped Front Office

The New Orleans Pelicans have hired a former Detroit Pistons general manager as senior vice president to work under another ex-Pistons GM. Confusing?

Kind of. But just know that the Pelicans are hiring Troy Weaver (formerly of the Pistons) as GM, per Marc Spears of ESPN/Andscape. Weaver will report to Joe Dumars, recently hired as the head of basketball operations in New Orleans.

Dumars replaces David Griffin, fired earlier this month following the conclusion of the season.

Weaver was fired by the Pistons after last season and was currently working as a consultant with the Washington Wizards. So his track record isn’t exactly strong — though he is widely respected as an individual and as a basketball man.

Per ESPN: “Weaver was hired by the Pistons as their general manager on June 18, 2020. Under him, they were 74-244 overall and did not make the postseason. Weaver, however, did have some notable draft picks in NBA All-Star Cade Cunningham, injured guard Jaden Ivey, starting guard Ausar Thompson and reserve center Luka Garza, now with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Detroit also did not have much luck in the NBA draft lottery under Weaver, landing the No. 5 pick three straight years.”

For now, the Pelicans are expected to keep coach Willie Green, though sources have told Hoops Wire that he will be on a fairly short leash next season. Dumars has already made it clear he expects that a healthy roster of Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray and others should be able to compete in the Western Conference.

The key to that, of course, is staying healthy — something the Pelicans simply could not do this past season. Until then, the new front office will be pinning its hopes on the NBA Draft lottery next month.