Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Assistant coaches Casey Hill and Corey Brewer are among those who will not return, sources confirmed. The Pelicans are expected to move in a different direction with most of the coaching staff. On the business side and not under the purview of Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, Joe Dumars, T.V. Studio Host, Erin Summers, and Studio Analyst, Wesley Johnson are also among those who were let go.
Jake Fischer: There were indeed some sweeping changes in New Orleans today, where a significant number of Pelicans staffers were told their contracts won’t be renewed under chief executive Joe Dumars. New Orleans is in the beginning stages of its head coaching search, and there will be a lot of roles to fill once that primary decision is made.
It's fair, then, to wonder if the Pelicans might trade Williamson this offseason. According to Pelicans executive vice president Joe Dumars, though, that is not the plan. "Listen, we have no intentions of doing that," Dumars told reporters Tuesday. "We're going into the offseason looking forward to Zion coming back next year and playing great again next year."
Asked about the fit between Williamson and Queen, Dumars more or less laughed off the concerns without addressing the specific strengths and weaknesses of the two players. "Just in general, the question in general, I always kind of chuckle when I hear people say, 'Well, can they play together?'" Dumars said, citing how "people questioned (Jayson) Tatum and (Jaylen) Brown" and then made a reference to his own playing career. "I was laughing this morning, like, I didn't know if I could fit with Isiah (Thomas) or not, but I knew we both had great IQs and we'd figure it out," Dumars said. "And sometimes you gotta let players figure it out. It can't just be, 'Well, they can't play together.'"
Advertisement
Pelicans Film Room: "I was really proud of him this year... I know I saw a guy that there were several times I thought we wouldn't have him that night and he said no, I'm coming. I'm gonna show up" -- Joe Dumars tells two stories about Zion's season
Pelicans Film Room: "We're a talented team but just not consistent enough. Talent alone doesnt win... If you think you're just gonna roll talent out on an NBA floor and that's all you need to do to win? Not gonna happen" -- Joe Dumars on who the Pelicans are
Pelicans Film Room: "Having someone like Joe, Hall of Famer... I'll put myself under his wing. Gaining any basketball knowledge I can from him and using my resources to reach out to other Hall of Famers... This is gonna be a different summer how I approach it" -- Zion Williamson on summer plans
"Having someone like Joe, Hall of Famer... I'll put myself under his wing. Gaining any basketball knowledge I can from him and using my resources to reach out to other Hall of Famers... This is gonna be a different summer how I approach it"
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) April 13, 2026
-- Zion Williamson on summer plans pic.twitter.com/xhYyinBwXq
Jamahl Mosley, though, still has many fans around the league after Orlando posted a top-three defense in both 2023-24 and 2024-25 and thanks to both his ability to relate to players and also still get out on the floor with them. He has USA Basketball experience on his resume, too, and has been mentioned for some time as a likely candidate in New Orleans — if available — should the Pelicans find themselves in the market for a new coach after the regular season concludes this week. New Pelicans lead decision-maker Joe Dumars is said to hold Mosley interest and could opt to hire his own head coach after installing associate head coach James Borrego as Green’s interim replacement after a 2-10 start. As Stein reported in November, sources say former Lakers coach Darvin Ham is another likely Pelicans target if Borrego doesn’t land the full-time post.
Advertisement
Shamit Dua: "I think Zion's going to get extended... When Joe Dumars got here, there were some tough conversations had with Zion about what the expectation is for professionalism. And to Dumars's credit, Zion really took that to heart... He really wants to be in New Orleans, and he really, really wants the narrative on him to flip... I would model it after Julius Randle's extension... around three years, $100 million or so. Around 30 to $35 million a year. I think it's a good sweet spot for Zion."
If the Warriors don't acquire Antetokounmpo, there isn't anyone on the current trade market who will force this level of asset aggression from them, team sources said. They've maintained a level of interest in New Orleans Pelicans wing Trey Murphy III, but have been stonewalled in conversations by a Joe Dumars-Troy Weaver front office that has so far voiced an unwillingness to move most of their young core, league sources said.
Sam Amick: The Pelicans are putting up a good face saying no on trade inquiries for Herb Jones, no on Trey Murphy - well, not completely 'no' on Trey, but they have a pretty high price tag on him. Even Zion Williamson, I can't remember a year where we got so many high-profile stars, players, who you feel might be available for trades, right now, we got Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, all the way down the lion, and Zion, to me, should be at the top of the list. The Pelicans should be really open to listening to move him, and I do think, in the right situation, he could be a difference-maker, there's not much talk on Zion getting traded at this point. It's a little bit quiet, though a possibility, I think. Joe Dumars told teams he wanted to really get a good look at Zion, and I don't know how long that look needs to be before he makes up his mind, but if I got to handicap right now, it probably won't happen before the trade deadline.
Jordan Dumars, the 34-year-old son of Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars, has been a constant presence on team planes, in practices, and in high-level meetings. Yet his name was absent from the staff directory and his role was never announced, leaving employees and the league to speculate about his influence. This situation occurs within a unique front-office power structure. Multiple sources describe a hierarchy where owner Gayle Benson, who hired Joe Dumars without a formal search, has taken a hands-off approach. Benson has publicly stated her philosophy, telling The Times-Picayune, “I hired Joe Dumars... When he makes a decision, that’s up to him. That’s why I hired him. I trust Joe... I’ve left that in his hands.”
