Joe Dumars speaks during his Introductory Press Conference on the second day of his job as the New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, La., Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
Joe Dumars still has a few weeks to decide who the New Orleans Pelicans will add to their roster with the No. 7 overall pick in the draft.
In the meantime, Dumars - the Pelicans’ new executive vice president of basketball operations - is busy assembling his front office staff.
The Pelicans officially announced three new hires to Dumars’ staff Wednesday.
Troy Weaver has been named senior vice president of basketball operations. Weaver was an advisor with the Washington Wizards this past season. Prior to that, Weaver spent four seasons as general manager of the Detroit Pistons. Although Dumars and Weaver both worked with the Pistons, they didn’t work in Detroit at the same time.
The Pistons struggled during Weaver’s time there, going just 74-244 and missing the playoffs all four seasons. One of Weaver’s most notable draft picks was in 2021 when the Pistons selected Cade Cunningham with the No.1 overall pick. Cunningham made the All-Rookie team that season and was a third-team All-NBA selection and an All-Star this season.
Weaver also worked in the front office for the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Pelicans also announced Jason Hervey as the team’s new director of player personnel.
For the past four seasons, Hervey was advance scout for the Portland Trail Blazers. Before his time in Portland, he was a quality control coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves for two seasons. Hervey also has worked for the Phoenix Suns. His career began as a video coordinator for the Pistons from 2005-09 when Dumars was the general manager.
The Pelicans also announced Davis Smith as the team’s basketball operations manager. Smith is the son of former NBA player Steve Smith, who played the 2003-’04 season with the New Orleans Hornets. Davis Smith, like his father, played college basketball at Michigan State University. The younger Smith finished his career with the Spartans in 2024.
According to the Pelicans’ website, Bryson Graham remains the team’s general manager. Graham, whose career with the Pelicans began as an intern in 2010, was promoted to general manager last June by former executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin.
Griffin was fired after six seasons following the Pelicans' 21-61 season, the second worst record in franchise history. It's up to Dumars and his new staff to try to get things turned around.