Ranking the first batch of New Orleans Pelicans’ GM candidates

The New Orleans Pelicans are going through a transitional period. Dell Demps, the team’s General Manager at the beginning of the season, was let go mid-February. Now with that position up for grabs, let’s look at some potential job candidates that have already been scheduled for interviews.

The New Orleans Pelicans are in the market for a General Manager for the first time in nearly a decade. Dell Demps assumed the position in 2010. He had his ups-and-downs with the team and was ultimately relieved of his duties on February 15th of this year right in the middle of the height of the Anthony Davis trade demand rumors.

Perhaps the Anthony Davis saga expedited the process, but over the course of several seasons, Demps was given the opportunity to present the city with a contender. That opportunity resulted in just three postseason appearances with only 6 total playoff games won. With the potential and talent that this team has possessed in recent years, this type of postseason production just did not cut it.

Now, the organization is looking elsewhere to turn things around. But who is the right candidate to lead the franchise into their new era of AD-less basketball?? Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN recently listed the first batch of three candidates that will be interviewed for the job.

There are some interesting names among this list, but only one person will ultimately be chosen for the position. Let’s take a closer look at Larry Harris, Trajan Langdon, and Gersson Rosas and rank their potential fit with the Pelicans while we’re at it.

3. Larry Harris – Golden State’s Director of Player Personnel

On paper, this is quite appealing. Coming from an organization that has had no shortage of success in recent years, Harris has played a prevalent role within the team’s front office. Currently, in his eighth season with the team, Harris has worked his way through the ranks from scout to DIrector of Player Personnel. What this role entails: Harris is a talent evaluator for both collegiate and professional basketball players and has in hand in what transpires in offseason acquisitions.

Prior to this role, he had been a General Manager of the Milwaukee Bucks from 2003-2007. Harris did not find much success in this role. Notably, he drafted Andrew Bogut in 2005 with the first overall pick when both Deron Williams and Chris Paul were available. Bogut has been a solid role player and has even led the league in blocks one season (2.6 in 2010), but a transcendent talent like Paul always surpasses a player like Bogut.

He’s also been no stranger to questionable trades. In 2005, he traded away Desmond Mason (who was coming off a career season) and a first-round draft pick for Jamaal Magloire. Sending away a future first will rarely pan out, and topping it off by trading for a player who would be on his third team by the age of twenty-six? Not a good look. His best season as a member of the Bucks came with a 41-41 record. But then again, he started from scratch and has proved to be a significant contributor to a dynasty. The prospect of this hire is interesting, but we can do better.

2. Gersson Rosas – Houston’s VP of Basketball Operations

Here’s another candidate coming from an organization that has been among the league’s best in recent years. Having a prominent role in the construction of a team like Houston’s success is just that much more impressive. That’s exactly what Gersson Rosas has done. General Manager Daryl Morey has done a great job building the Rockets from afterthought to perennial contender in a loaded Western Conference.

However, it is not Morey alone who is responsible for the rise of the team. Rosas assists Morey in every move that is made within the organization. He’s enjoyed success within that role for the last five seasons. He also has had a brief stint as a General Manager in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks before. However, that only lasted a few months due to a lack of clarity with the front office.

Rosas has been around the NBA game for nearly two decades, seeing the game evolve and adapting with the times. The Houston Rockets represent what today’s game has become; the high influx of three-point shooting with a mixture of guys that can penetrate and kick it to open wings. And if that fails, a dominant pick-and-roll center that has the athleticism to finish around the rim steps in. His insight could be just what the Pelicans need for their rebuild.

1. Trajan Langdon – Brooklyn’s Assistant GM

Langdon has something none of the previously mentioned candidates possess; experience at essentially every level of basketball. He played college ball in Duke, tasted NBA action as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and has graduated from Gregg Popovich’s school of coaching in San Antonio.

Currently, he’s a major factor as to why Brooklyn has been able to ascend from the depth’s of basketball mediocrity into a playoff contender. How Brooklyn has been able to reverse the ineptitude of Billy King is truly remarkable. Faced with the challenge of a severe lack of young talent and draft picks, they’ve outlasted one of the worst trades in NBA history to see the fruits of their labor finally growing.

Trajan Langdon is no stranger to being around a rebuilding roster and would be the perfect fit to guide the Pelicans back on the right path. Being a former player himself, Langdon should be able to connect with his roster and make them feel as if they have common ground. Combine that with previous employment as a scout for the most successful team of the millennium, and you have a worthy candidate for a General Manager.

As more candidates are announced for the open New Orleans Pelicans General Manager position, count on Pelican Debrief to keep you updated along the way.