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Coming off the second-worst season in New Orleans franchise history (21-61), significant changes were coming for the Pelicans.
The first set of dominoes fell as Pelicans Governor Gayle Benson fired former executive David Griffin after making the playoffs twice in six seasons during his tenure and officially hiring Joe Dumars as the franchise’s new lead executive.
Griffin wanted to fire coach Willie Green earlier this season but was denied by ownership, league sources told HoopsHype.
With Dumars taking over as lead Pelicans executive, he’s expected to retain Green as head coach in New Orleans, league sources told HoopsHype.
Green has guided the Pelicans to the playoffs in two of his four seasons as head coach, including a 49-win campaign last season, tied for the second-highest win total in franchise history. This season, injuries ravaged the Pelicans across the roster.
It’s also worth noting that when Dumars was an executive for the Detroit Pistons, he hosted Green for two workouts and nearly drafted him in the second round in 2003.
Green has also maintained the support of Pelicans ownership, league sources told HoopsHype. Ownership’s support comes amid reported potential interest from the Phoenix Suns in their coaching vacancy if Green became available due to his strong ties to franchise star Devin Booker from their time together when Green was an assistant coach in Phoenix.
Amid Green’s expected return, assistant coaching changes on his staff are likely, league sources told HoopsHype.
Associate head coach James Borrego is expected to be in the mix for coaching openings this summer, including the Phoenix Suns, league sources told HoopsHype. Had Griffin remained with the Pelicans, there was a strong expectation that he would’ve fired Green and named Borrego the next head coach, league sources told HoopsHype.
Former assistant coach Dan Geriot left to become Iona’s head coach towards the end of the regular season, leaving a vacant spot.
In addition, don’t be surprised as Dumars builds out his front office to see Scott Perry, his former confidant with the Detroit Pistons, and Milwaukee Bucks executive Ryan Hoover, who also has a strong relationship with Dumars from Detroit, in the mix to join the Pelicans.
It’s also worth noting that Perry was with the Orlando Magic when Green finished his career with that franchise as a player.
