METAIRIE, La. — The Pelicans‘ newly hired top basketball executive said coach Alvin Gentry will be retained and that he won’t rule out the possibility of talking six-time All-Star Anthony Davis into rescinding his trade request and committing to New Orleans long-term.
David Griffin, who was introduced Wednesday as Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations, is taking over for former general manager Dell Demps, who was fired this past season in the wake of Davis’ trade request.
Griffin said he believes Davis is open to staying after talking with the All-Star’s agent, Rich Paul. Though he hasn’t talked to Davis yet, he said a meeting is set.
He said he wants to persuade Davis that he can win in New Orleans, but he also wants to make sure that Davis would be committed to the team if he stays.
“We do plan to sit down and sit face-to-face and really share a vision and what it is we’re trying to do together,” Griffin said. “Because this is very much a situation where you’re all the way in or you’re all the way out.”
Griffin says Pelicans owner Gayle Benson convinced him of her commitment to winning by agreeing to what Griffin described as “outrageous demands” related to his desire to bolster staffing and resources in the front office.
Griffin was the formerly the general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers when they won the NBA title in 2016.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.