The New Orleans Pelicans announced on Wednesday that the franchise is hiring Hall of Famer Joe Dumars to serve as their new executive vice president of basketball operations. Dumars will step in for David Griffin, who was fired on Monday after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
Willie Green is expected to remain the coach of the Pelicans, although Dumars will reportedly have the final say on his fate.
The Pelicans endured a rough and injury-riddled season that saw them finish with a 21-61 record, fourth-worst in the league.
“There is a lot of talent on this roster,” Dumars, who is a Louisiana native, said in a statement. “My vision is to build a disciplined team that is built on toughness, smart decision-making, and a no-excuses mindset. I am proud to have grown up in Louisiana and know how passionate, resilient, and tough we are as a community. Our fans deserve a team that represents that spirit, and those characteristics will be the foundation of our team’s culture.”
Joe Dumars played 14 seasons in the NBA, spending all of them with the Detroit Pistons. He helped the franchise to two NBA titles and was named NBA Finals MVP in 1989. Dumars also earned six NBA All-Star selections and was named to NBA All-Defensive First Team four times. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Dumars transitioned to an executive role after retirement, becoming Pistons’ president of basketball operations prior to the 2000-01 season. He held the position for 14 years and constructed the team that won the 2004 NBA championship. After leaving the Pistons, he served in executive roles with the Sacramento Kings and the NBA League Office.
