Pelicans make major change following disappointing season

The New Orleans Pelicans concluded one of their worst seasons in well over a decade with a seventh consecutive loss on Sunday, and they are making a significant change as they begin their rebuild.

The Pelicans announced on Monday that they have fired executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin. Team owner Gayle Benson said in a statement that she made the “difficult decision” to dismiss Griffin in order to “bring a fresh approach to our front office and build a culture that will deliver sustainable success, on and off the court.”

Griffin had been in charge of basketball operations with New Orleans for the last six seasons. He worked in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ front office for several years prior to that and helped put together the team that won the 2016 NBA title.

The Pelicans drafted Zion Williamson with the No. 1 overall pick the same year they hired Griffin in 2019. That move did not pan out, mostly because of Williamson’s inability to remain healthy and available.

Griffin reportedly had some issues with former Pelicans head coach Stan Van Gundy and other members of the organization who have come and gone during Griffin’s tenure.

The Pelicans finished 21-61 and missed the playoffs this season after going 49-33 a year ago. New Orleans was swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round last season.

New Orleans only made the playoffs in one other season during Griffin’s time with the team, which was in 2022. They lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round that year.