Report: Pelicans Fire General Manager Dell Demps, Name Danny Ferry Interim GM
The New Orleans Pelicans have parted ways with general manager Dell Demps, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Pelicans special advisor Danny Ferry has been named the interim general manager, reports Wojnarowski.
Demps served as the team's general manager for nine years and hired Ferry in June 2016. Ferry previously worked as general manager of the Atlanta Hawks from 2012-15 and the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-10.
New Orleans ownership was reportedly "livid" with injured star Anthony Davis leaving the arena during Thursday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. An MRI revealed that Davis has a muscle contusion in his left shoulder.
Owner Gayle Benson "wants an overhaul of the Pelicans" and is seeking a general manager who will "take command of Davis trade talks" and can help shape the team's future. Ownership also plans for a new general manager to continue to "push back" on Davis's preferred trade destinations if they do not make sense for the organization., reports Wojnarowski.
Mannix: Sources: Pelicans Would Have Considered Anthony Davis Deal if Lakers Handled Negotiations "Quietly"
Davis was at the forefront of trade talks ahead of last week's NBA trade deadline, rumored to be receiving interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. The Lakers reportedly pulled out of trade discussions with the Pelicans because of New Orleans's "outrageous" requests. Los Angeles did not want to give up the six to eight draft picks the Pelicans were asking for in exchange for Davis. The Lakers reportedly offered to send Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Ivica Zubac and Kentavious Caldewell-Pope to New Orleans in a deal.
Davis signed a five-year, $127 million extension with New Orleans in 2015 and is eligible to sign a supermax contract worth $240 million with the team this summer. However, Davis, who will hit free agency in 2020, informed the Pelicans that he would not sign an extension with the team this offseason. After news of his decision broke, it was reported that the forward preferred to be dealt to the Lakers, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers or Milwaukee Bucks.
Davis is averaging 28.1 points, 12.9 points and 2.5 blocks for the Pelicans this season.
New Orleans enters the All-Star break at 26–33, six games out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
