The Los Angeles Lakers are heading to the NBA playoffs with title aspirations. While they are preparing to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, not every team is as lucky.
With the conclusion of the regular season, the NBA's version of Black Monday is upon us. Coaches and general managers who have disappointed in their tenure have already begun to lose their jobs.
One of those names was Pelicans GM David Griffin. Former Cleveland Cavaliers GM, who won a title with LeBron James in 2016 before feuding with him publicly, was relieved of his duties in New Orleans after six seasons.
The New Orleans Pelicans have fired executive vice president David Griffin, sources tell ESPN. After six seasons, the franchise will have a new head of basketball operations. pic.twitter.com/4VgYeMzwr3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 14, 2025
NBA News: Pelicans Fire David Griffin After 21-61 Season
After beginning the 2024-25 campaign with playoff hopes, the Pelicans season quickly went off the rails. They were never able to recover from early-season injuries to Dejounte Murray, Zion Williamson, and Brandon Ingram and embraced the tank during the season to finish 21-61.
With only two winning seasons and two playoff wins in six seasons, the Pelicans understandably decided to move on from Griffin.
Griffin had raised eyebrows in 2019 after LeBron James left Cleveland to join the Lakers by calling his experience of trying to build around James "miserable". He then went on to question LeBron's desire to win after the 2016 championship with the Cavaliers.
It was reported at the time that LeBron was "shocked" by Griffin's comments. He must have taken those personally as he went on to win the title with the Lakers that very next season.
While James led the Lakers to an NBA championship and deep playoff runs, the Pelicans were only able to make the postseason twice, losing in the first round both times. Add Griffin to the long list of NBA coaches, players, and executives who owe their careers to LeBron James.