The New Orleans Pelicans have never been a franchise known for stability. But even by their standards, firing David Griffin and moving on to Joe Dumars as the new head of basketball operations in less than a day seems…hasty.
Griffin’s dismissal didn’t come as a complete surprise. After six seasons, his tenure will be remembered more for injuries, inconsistency, and friction with multiple coaching staffs. But what followed—a quick and quiet hire of a Hall of Famer who hasn’t held a front office job in over a decade—makes little sense.
According to multiple reports, Dumars was hired to take over the Pelicans’ front office almost immediately after Griffin’s departure. There was no formal search, no list of finalists, and no reported interviews with rising executives within other successful franchises. Instead, Gayle Benson and Mickey Loomis have handed the reins to a 61-year-old who hasn’t run a team since stepping down from the Detroit Pistons in 2014.
A Decade Away
Dumars’ résumé is complicated. He helped build a champion in Detroit in 2004 and assembled one of the most defensively dominant teams of all time. But the back half of his tenure was mostly filled with losses, bad draft picks, and a revolving door of coaches. The Pistons failed to make the playoffs in their last five seasons with Dumars in charge.
| Wins | Losses | Win % | Playoff Appearances | Coaches | |
| 2000-08 | 416 | 240 | .634 | 7 | 4 |
| 2009-14 | 179 | 296 | .376 | 1 | 5 |
Since then, Dumars has stayed in basketball, mostly in ceremonial or advisory roles. He served as an advisor and executive VP of basketball operations for the Sacramento Kings, but never had final decision-making power. That means this will be his first time in over a decade with full control of a franchise’s direction, and the game has changed dramatically in that time.
While Dumars has earned respect for his playing career and early executive accomplishments, there’s no evidence from recent years that he’s adapted to the modern landscape. There’s little indication that he’s plugged in with the super agents who hold so much sway now, or an understanding of how to maximize player value within the constraints of the new collective bargaining agreement.
Why the Rush?
The most confusing part of the hire is the lack of transparency surrounding it. Far beyond any question of Dumars’ competence, the process seems reactionary and unexamined. Someone from the Pelicans’ ownership group must explain why this was the right time and the right person. But that’s not how the Pelicans do business.
No accountability, no public roadmap, no rationale.
It feels like a move made from the top down, without consultation or consensus. Gayle Benson, who has long preferred to operate quietly, appears to have entrusted Dumars with major authority based on reputation and familiarity more than strategy or fit.
What Happens Next?
How will Dumars manage the locker room dynamics, salary cap gymnastics, and player movement so different from what they were during his Pistons tenure?
There are reports that Dumars will come in with two directives: keep Willie Green and trade Zion Williamson. Both paths will be incredibly divisive for an already fractured fan base. Green has plenty of support from the higher-ups, but public confidence has eroded after four seasons. Williamson is still only 24 years old, and finding any player as talented or impactful in a trade is highly unlikely. Are fans going to show up to watch a star-less team led by a coach they don’t believe in?
A Legacy in the Balance
Joe Dumars is a basketball legend. As a player, he was the epitome of professionalism and class. As an executive, he reached the mountaintop. But that legacy doesn’t necessarily translate into modern success.
This hire feels less like a vision and more like a nostalgia play, as if the Pelicans are trying to anchor themselves in the credibility of the past instead of building toward a better future. There’s no question that the franchise needs direction, but it’s unclear whether Dumars can provide it.
The Pelicans didn’t just make a hire—they made a statement. Whether intentional or not, the decision to bring in Joe Dumars without a wide search or transparent process suggests a franchise still looking for shortcuts instead of solutions. Pelicans fans have endured enough false starts. This time, they deserve more than just a recognizable name—they deserve a plan.
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