David Griffin’s New Orleans Pelicans Project: Reactions and Expectations
The New Orleans Pelicans have reportedly decided to name David Griffin Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. What do Griffin’s past moves suggest for the Pelicans future?
Owner Gayle Benson hates that the New Orleans Pelicans are perceived as being a short changed franchise. She has been increasing her level of engagement in the basketball community and knew she needed a more accountable basketball front office operation in New Orleans. Facing a franchise altering decision, David Griffin was chosen to lead the new era of New Orleans hoops.
The New Orleans Pelicans are at a franchise crossroads. There were parallel problems over near Poydras Street. The Pelicans’ front office was in shambles and had a pending trade demand from Anthony Davis to figure out.
To solve the front office issue, Benson finally split the baby because she realized she had twin sporting behemoths on her hands, not one big sporting entity with two teams. Griffin is now the sole point man handling Benson’s basketball baby. Mickey Loomis can focus on the Saints.
Dealing with the Anthony Davis trade is paramount, but there are many other facets of building a contender that need addressed. What did Griffin ask for in negotiations? What did Benson and her trusted circle of executives offer? How will things change moving forward, and will what would success look like? We have an idea of how Griffin answered some of ownership’s questions.
Here’s David Griffin on what his ‘Anthony Davis plan’ would be if he was in charge.
— Sahal Abdi (@sahalabdi_) April 12, 2019
Looks like he got his wish — he’s just been hired by the New Orleans Pelicans. https://t.co/ALq31iKw8T
Griffin is a very well respected, and very well compensated, NBA personality. He spent his longest stretch of time in the national spotlight as General Manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Find faults with his methods if you will, but Cleveland celebrated a championship with Griffin at the helm.
That ring came with LeBron. Griffin is being asked to trade away the team’s star, not appease him. Measuring team success, the Pelicans standard thus far is winning a playoff series. If Griffin can accomplish that in two years, he will have been worth the investment.