NEW ORLEANS — The humidity is rising in New Orleans, but the heat emanating from the Pelicans’ front office at 5800 Airline Drive has nothing to do with the Louisiana climate. Following a tumultuous 2025–26 season that saw the franchise part ways with Willie Green after a 2–10 start and struggle through a 24–46 interim stint under James Borrego, the organization is at a critical crossroads.
Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars and General Manager Troy Weaver are currently orchestrating a complete organizational overhaul. While the city waits for a definitive signal of intent, the architect of this rebuild is currently taking a tactical pause. Sources tell me that Joe Dumars is currently in Michigan spending time with family.
A Mandate from the Top
Despite the quiet period, the directive from ownership is loud and clear. In an exclusive conversation with Rod Walker of the Times-Picayune, Pelicans owner and chairperson Gayle Benson made it known that patience for mediocrity has evaporated.
As reported by NOLA.com, the alignment between ownership and the front office is absolute.
“Our focus remains steadfast,” Benson told Walker. “Putting a top-tier product on the court and working tirelessly towards a championship. Anything less is simply unacceptable.”
Benson also took the opportunity to quell any speculation regarding the front office hierarchy or the motivation behind the recent organizational “gutting.”
“I want to affirm my unwavering support for Joe Dumars,” Benson said. “The decisions he has had to make over the past year and just recently were incredibly tough, yet necessary as we evaluate the best path forward for long-term success.”
Furthermore, Benson flatly refuted the narrative that the massive turnover in personnel across the business and medical departments was a cost-cutting measure.
“Joe is a dedicated leader who has my complete trust and access to all of the necessary resources he needs. There are no financial constraints when it comes to building a winning team. Any suggestion or comments otherwise is completely false.”
The Landscape: A Gutted Infrastructure
Before a coach is hired, the building must be ready to receive them. Over the last few months, the Pelicans have executed a “top-down shakeup” that has sent shockwaves through the league. Reportedly, dozens of vacancies currently exist across the basketball operations, business, and medical departments.
Dumars and Weaver have “gutted” the analytics and performance teams, signaling a desire to install a culture entirely of their own making. This isn’t just about finding a new voice for Zion Williamson; it’s about rebuilding a sovereign media and performance ecosystem—a philosophy that prioritizes infrastructure and alignment above all else.
The Shortlist: Familiar Faces and Rising Stars
While the Pelicans have not officially released a full list of candidates, names are beginning to leak through the grapevine. James Borrego remains a “viable candidate” due to his ability to keep the locker room from imploding during a dismal season, but the search is expanding far beyond the current staff. “There’s been a lot to the season,” Borrego told me earlier this month. “Where we started…there’s been a lot of highs and a lot of lows along the way. I enjoy and love the journey with this group. I love these guys, I love coaching them and showing up to work everyday and brining my best everyday.”
When I asked Borrego what grade he’d give himself on the Pelicans’ season he was candid. “I can’t give you a grade,” he said. “But what I can say is brought it every single day, I love these guys.”
While Borrego is the interim head coach, among the names gaining momentum, Darvin Ham, the current lead assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks and former Los Angeles Lakers head coach, stands out due to a championship pedigree and a “player-first” toughness that aligns with the grit Joe Dumars traditionally values. Simultaneously, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori is gaining significant traction among league insiders as a rising star in the coaching search.
The Micah Nori Factor: Beyond the Sideline Wit
If you’ve watched a Timberwolves broadcast over the last few seasons, you know Micah Nori. He is the man responsible for the most creative, often hilarious, and oddly accurate halftime analogies in the NBA. But in New Orleans, the interest in Nori isn’t about the comedy; it’s about the tactical brilliance.
Nori’s ascent is anchored by a fifteen-season tenure in Toronto, where he became a “film room junkie” under legends like Lenny Wilkens. He later served as a key disciple of Michael Malone in Denver, playing a pivotal role in maximizing the unique talents of Nikola Jokić.
His resume also includes a stop with the Detroit Pistons (2018–2021), creating a bridge to the organizational DNA that Troy Weaver values. Most recently, as the “Minnesota Mastermind,” he has been credited with managing the complex chemistry of a roster featuring Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert.
The Timeline: What’s Next?
As Dumars concludes his time in Michigan, the Pelicans are preparing for a multi-stage interview process. The goal is to have a new leader in place well before the 2026 NBA Draft in June.The stakes could not be higher. With Zion Williamson entering his prime and a roster featuring young talents like Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears, the Pelicans cannot afford another “failed experiment.” Guided by Benson’s “championship or bust” mandate, the next two weeks will define the next decade of basketball in New Orleans.
