While the New Orleans Pelicans have moved on from top basketball executive David Griffin, coach Willie Green will remain in place for now, per NBA reporters Will Guillory and Christian Clark of The Athletic.
That said, whoever is hired to replace Griffin “will make the final decision on Green’s future,” Guillory and Clark wrote.
Griffin was fired after six seasons on Monday.
“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. “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.”
Green is just 148-179 in four seasons combined with the Pelicans, though they have reached the playoffs twice. They failed to get out of the first round either time. New Orleans went just 21-61 this season.
Green told reporters before Griffin’s firing that he had not yet heard about his own future.
“I haven’t had any discussions, any talks yet,” Green said. “I didn’t do great great. I have to take full ownership of where we are as a team. We failed. I failed.”
He added that he hopes ownership will take his entire body of work into account. The Pelicans also spent the season ravaged by injuries, notably to Zion Williamson (again) and Dejounte Murray, acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks last offseason.
“I think that’s important. You try to look at the body of work,” Green said. “But I didn’t give myself this job. I had to be chosen for this position, and I’m grateful.”
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