The New Orleans Pelicans have officially said goodbye to Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin, as reported by WWLTV. The team announced the decision earlier today, with owner Gayle Benson stating, "After considerable thought and evaluation, I have decided to relieve David Griffin of his duties." Benson emphasized the necessity of taking the Pelicans in a new direction, highlighting the aim "to bring a fresh approach to our front office and build a culture that will deliver sustainable success, on and off the court," according to WWLTV.
Griffin's exit follows a particularly disappointing season for the Pelicans, marked by a dismal 21-61 record, which The Detroit News notes as the franchise's second-worst mark since their relocation to New Orleans in 2002. This, combined with a season-ending skid that culminated in a 115-100 loss to Oklahoma City, seemed to highlight the need to radically shake things up within the organization.
Since his hiring on April 17, 2019, Griffin oversaw a Pelicans team that went 209-263 and made two playoff appearances. Despite having drafted Zion Williamson, a former Duke superstar, consistent victories eluded the team, which saw them change coaches three times during Griffin's tenure. As first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania and later confirmed by SI, Griffin's dismissal marks the beginning of a new search for leadership in the Pelicans' basketball operations, with the goal of ultimately securing an NBA championship for New Orleans.
Although a new general manager has yet to be named, the future of head coach Willie Green seems stable for now. However, the new GM will have the ability to ultimately determine Green's long-term role within the team. In a formal statement, Benson expressed her gratitude to Griffin for his contributions over the last six years, "We wish David and his wife, Meredith, and their family all the best moving forward," as per a report by SI. At this critical juncture, the Pelicans organization looks eagerly to rebuild and promise a better era of basketball to its fans.
