New Orleans Pelicans government vp Joe Dumars outlined his imaginative and prescient for constructing an elite franchise whereas discussing his return to Louisiana in an interview with Andscape. The Louisiana native joined the Pelicans in April after serving because the NBA’s disciplinarian from 2022-25.
Dumars, who beforehand gained NBA Government of the Yr in 2003 with the Detroit Pistons, emphasised the distinctive alternative to characterize his dwelling state. He declined related positions with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns earlier than accepting the Pelicans function.
“A whole lot of occasions you are in these jobs and also you get to characterize town that you simply’re doing these jobs in. However on this explicit job, you’re part of the state. You are not simply representing a fanbase, you are representing the individuals that you simply got here from,” Dumars mentioned.
The 62-year-old Corridor of Famer recognized Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray because the franchise’s core basis. Dumars has centered on including complementary items together with Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and Kevon Looney.
“I felt the core guys like Zion, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray, I assumed that was a extremely good group of fellows throughout the age of 25 years previous,” Dumars defined.
Dumars revealed ongoing conversations with Williamson about embracing management obligations. The chief emphasised the significance of the 25-year-old ahead accepting his function because the franchise centerpiece.
“I’ve talked to him in regards to the accountability of being nice and the accountability of being a frontrunner, of being a captain, of being the most effective participant, of being the face of a franchise,” Dumars mentioned.
The Pelicans additionally drafted Jeremiah Fears fifth total and traded as much as choose Derik Queen thirteenth within the 2025 NBA Draft, strikes that drew criticism for sacrificing future belongings.
