Joe Dumars Becomes President of Basketball Operations for the Pelicans
Joe Dumars, a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, is about to finalize a deal to become the new president of basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans. The news has generated great anticipation in the basketball world.
Dumars, who has been a two-time NBA champion as a player and a title-winning executive with the Detroit Pistons, returns to his home state of Louisiana. This move involves his replacement of David Griffin as the Pelicans’ head of basketball operations.
Before this designation, Dumars served as the director of strategy for the Sacramento Kings from 2019 to 2022. Since 2022, he has been the executive vice president of basketball operations in the NBA office.
Dumars’ career includes a successful period at the helm of the Pistons from 2000 to 2014, where he was recognized as executive of the year in 2003. During his tenure, he built the 2004 championship team and led the Pistons to seven consecutive seasons with 50 or more victories, between 2001-02 and 2007-08.
Under Dumars’ leadership, the Pistons achieved 14 seasons with 50 wins, demonstrating his ability to build competitive teams.
Dumars, selected by the Pistons in 1985, had a distinguished 14-year career as a shooting guard and defender. He won NBA titles with the “Bad Boys” in 1989 and 1990.
In his new role in New Orleans, Dumars is expected to work closely with the current basketball staff, including General Manager Bryson Graham and Head Coach Willie Green. In addition, conversations are anticipated with the team’s star, Zion Williamson, about the player’s future with the Pelicans.
Zion Williamson has participated in only 45% of the possible games since he was the first overall pick in 2019. He has not played in the playoffs due to injuries he suffered before the team’s appearances in the 2022 and 2024 postseason.
The Pelicans finished the season with a record of 21-61, ranking as the fourth-worst team in the league.
