New Orleans Pelicans: David Griffin’s roster management is concerning

It’s time to look at the role David Griffin has in the New Orleans Pelicans’ disappointing 4-5 start

Last night, I published a column that many New Orleans Pelicans fans disagreed with. The column questioned whether or not Stan Van Gundy was the right head coaching hire. I thought this was a fair question, considering the team’s fall to 4-5 along with sputtering offense.

My thought was that Van Gundy has been away from the game and that his offense looked very outdated. That wasn’t to say that I believe Van Gundy should be fired because I don’t. I just thought that objectively we have to look at all factors to the Pelicans’ failures.

Now, while this team can still improve with more time together and a better understanding of Stan Van Gundy’s scheme, it’s time to look at someone that a lot of Pelicans fans have been questioning. That person is David Griffin.

Does David Griffin deserve criticism for the New Orleans Pelicans’ faults?

David Griffin is a complicated person in this Pelicans organization. He has a history of creating some great teams with the Phoenix Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but some also see him as overrated.

In Phoenix, he worked alongside Steve Kerr and Mike D’Antoni, and while those teams were competitive, they made a lot of personnel mistakes that ultimately caused them to fall short of expectations. Then in Cleveland, Griffin was given LeBron James and his influence on players around the NBA landed them some quality players.

Still, David Griffin has been considered a solid executive, but the shine might be coming off here in New Orleans. Yes, Griffin traded Anthony Davis for a boatload of picks and young players, but that deal was pretty much done for him. He selected Zion Williamson with the first overall pick, but that was a decision anyone would make too.

Beyond that, Griffin’s roster construction has been shakey. After drafting Zion Williamson, he drafted Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker who still look like they belong in the G-League. You might remember that if Griffin didn’t select those two, he could’ve selected Tyler Herro or DeAndre Hunter, who look like slam dunk picks.

He followed up that draft, by essentially punting on this year’s draft. Using the 13th pick on Kira Lewis Jr. and trading away other picks when players who could add shooting and rotational value were available.

Then there are trades. To improve this team, Griffin acquired Derrick Favors last offseason, and then Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams this offseason in the Jrue Holiday trade. Sure those are talented players, but do they fit the Pelicans core, guys? No, this team has no 3 point spacing and it’s killing them.

So, it was too early to point the finger at Van Gundy, but it’s not too early to look at Griffin. He’s built a team more suited to compete in 2002 than 2021, and it’s making Van Gundy look bad. I know this is the sentiment of many Pelicans fans this season, and I think I agree that if this season goes lopsided, the blame should fall on David Griffin.

He should hope the New Orleans Pelicans end up showing us something on this upcoming 7-game road trip!