Report: Joe Dumars is ‘serious’ candidate for Pelicans’ front office gig

Report: Joe Dumars is ‘serious’ candidate for Pelicans’ front office gig

Hours after the organization fired David Griffin, the New Orleans Pelicans have their eyes on a new man who’s the frontrunner to be vice president of basketball operations.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Hall of Famer Joe Dumars, who’s currently the head of basketball operations for the NBA, is a “serious frontrunner” to become the new lead executive in New Orleans.

Hall of Famer Joe Dumars is a serious frontrunner to become the lead basketball executive with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN. The 2003 exec of the year and 2004 championship exec with the Pistons is a Louisiana native. Dumars is currently heading NBA basketball ops. pic.twitter.com/Du0Be1LrFS

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 14, 2025

Dumars, 61, spent 14 years as the president of basketball operations from 2000-14, helping guide the Pistons to two Eastern Conference Titles appearances and one NBA Title in 2004. There were a number of consequential moves that he made, such as drafting Tayshawn Prince and Greg Monroe while acquiring Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups.

He served as the Sacramento Kings’ special advisor to the general manager from 2019-22 before stepping into his current position, managing the entire league instead of one single organization.

New Orleans is coming off the franchise’s second-worst season at 21-61 mired by injuries to Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray and Herb Jones, among several others.

At least Dumars has decent experience and would be stepping into an organization with a decent foundation, though there are serious questions that need to be answered about head coach Willie Green’s standing with the organization plus Williamson’s and CJ McCollum’s long-term future. Though he would be stepping into an NBA economy that is different than it was a decade ago with the two aprons.

Hypothetically, Dumars did a good job managing the Detroit market, so I can see him having success in New Orleans. What do you think about this move? Let us know in the comments!

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This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.

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