The Pelicans have begun to make “significant” changes to their basketball operations, coaching, and medical staffs, multiple sources tell Shamit Dua of In The N.O. (Twitter links).
Several staff members have been informed they won’t be brought back for next season, according to Dua, who says a “significant portion” of the basketball operations, coaching, and medical departments were either on expiring contracts or had team options. New Orleans decided to go in a different direction as the team begins “restructuring” and “reorganizing” those three key departments, Dua adds.
In a full story at his Substack, Dua reports that assistant coaches Casey Hill and Corey Brewer were among the “more than a dozen” employees who won’t return in 2026/27.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line confirms Dua’s report (via Twitter), writing that “sweeping” organizational changes were made on Friday. As Fischer notes, the Pelicans have commenced a search for a new head coach and several positions on the coaching staff will be available once the lead coach has been hired.
Dua hears Nuggets assistant Jared Dudley is a name to watch in the Pelicans’ coaching search (Twitter link).
The Pelicans are entering their second offseason under executive VP of basketball operations Joe Dumars, who was hired last April. There have been rumors that Dumars has taken a hands-off approach as a decision-maker, with senior VP of basketball operations and general manager Troy Weaver believed to be behind last summer’s trades for Jordan Poole and Derik Queen.
Troy Weaver the GM? What can possibly go wrong here?
Such a track record
Decline Matković and Looney team options
Extend team options to Hawkins and Missi
Resign DeAndre Jordan
Offer Murray, Bey and a future pick for Ja Morant
Play Queen at PF behind Zion
Draft or sign a young SG and SF to go with Queen, Fears and Missi. Fears and Queen sixth men
Sign three guys of your choosing on two way contracts
Murphy or Jones to SG starter
Most importantly sign two veterans a guard and a wing. 30+. Example. Garret Temple and Reggie Jackson
Trade Poole and Bey with picks for a starting C 26-29 years old
Sounds like Dumars is so hands off he’s fishing out there in the gulf, but keeping an eye on things with his binocs lol! Sounds like an organizational tank job. Why else hire Dumars??
Fire the owner. Poverty franchise can’t even afford a pregame telecast 🤦♂️