NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – It’s a new era for the New Orleans Pelicans as the team officially introduced Hall of Famer and Louisiana basketball legend Joe Dumars as the new Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations on Tuesday (April 22).
Dumars, a two-time NBA champion as a player and title-winning executive with the Detroit Pistons, now steps into the top basketball role for his home-state franchise.
The Dumars hire came immediately after the firing of David Griffin, the previous lead executive whose tenure began in 2019 with the drafting of Zion Williamson at No. 1 overall.
In his new role, Dumars will face questions regarding the team’s new direction and whether or not that will include Williamson. When healthy, Williamson consistently shows he’s one of the NBA’s most explosive talents. However, his injury history has directly affected the team’s ability to win.
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There’s a strong chance that the Pelicans will have a Top 5 draft pick, and they are in the mix for a chance to draft Cooper Flagg out of Duke at No. 1 overall. It remains to be seen if the Pelicans will aim to look for a new franchise cornerstone in this year’s draft or continue to surround Williamson with young talent as the centerpiece.
“You have to be progressive-minded enough to change with the game,” Dumars said at his introductory press conference. “I don’t think you can come in and say ‘hey, I’m going to build a team the way I won my other championships.’”
Dumars said he wasn’t seeking a new job but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return to Louisiana and lead the Pelicans.
“There weren’t many jobs I would’ve done this for,” he said. “The Pelicans were one of them. And Gayle Benson was a big reason for that.”
“I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t think we could build,” Dumars said, emphasizing that it was the right place at the right time. “It has to work for you. New Orleans works for me.”
Benson, the team’s owner, praised Dumars for his championship pedigree and strong leadership: “Accountability. Tough. Honest and a winner. He has been a winner at every level of the game.”
For now, general manager Bryson Graham and head coach Willie Green both remain with the staff. Dumars said he will begin by getting to know the people and the culture within the building.
“Listen more than you talk,” he said. “That’s my method coming in. I’m asking questions and letting people tell me what’s happening. You can’t build a culture unless people trust that you care about what’s already here.”
He has not yet met extensively with Green and said there were no mandates placed on him regarding roster moves.
As speculation swirls about the future of Williamson, Dumars kept things measured.
“In my role at the league office, I’ve had to talk to Zion a few times,” he said, smiling, but gave no hint of a plan to trade or build around the 24-year-old star.
Dumars also drew on his most recent experience working in the NBA’s league office, where he oversaw basketball operations and discipline.
“I’ve dealt with every organization. I saw how each team handled issues, and I filed that away,” he said. “That perspective gives me an advantage.”
He praised the Pelicans’ fan base and its potential to rally behind a winning team.
“If you don’t know the fans in Louisiana, you may not get it,” Dumars said. “But if you’re from here, you understand what it is to be a fan of Louisiana. If you win in New Orleans, people are going to come out in droves.”
During the team’s initial announcement about bringing Dumars on board, Benson made sure to mention that the organization is hoping to renovate the Smoothie King Center. Dumars says his focus is what’s on the court.
“I trust what Benson and the executives talk about, but I’m concerned about the product on the floor,” he explained. “Put the right product out and it will sell out.”
All eyes are on Dumars as he begins shaping the future of New Orleans basketball.
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