Pelicans to target high-level executives for GM vacancy

The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to hire a search firm to vet outside candidates for their general manager vacancy, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to hire a search firm to vet outside candidates for their general manager vacancy, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Former GM Dell Demps was fired last week after nine years. Danny Ferry will fill in as interim GM. He could be a candidate should he have interest in the position on a full-time basis.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans will continue to target high-level executives from around the league. Former Cleveland Cavaliers GM David Griffin and current Boston Celtics assistant GM Mike Zarren are reportedly among the possible candidates.

League sources also believe the Pelicans could potentially hire a former big-name player and keep Ferry on as a special adviser.

Pelicans star big man Anthony Davis requested a trade late last month and the team needs to hire someone to try to negotiate a deal after the season. Both the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics will be in strong pursuit, with teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers also expected to try to make a run.

Davis, 25, shot down the idea that he has a preferred destination during All-Star Weekend, saying all 29 opposing teams are on his hypothetical "wish list."

Davis told Scott Kushner of the New Orleans Advocate he intends to resume playing for the Pelicans and finish out the season on the court. He added that no one tried to recruit him over the weekend in Charlotte.

“Guys didn’t talk about it,” Davis told Kushner. “I mean we didn’t even see each other that much to talk about it. We were just here to get ready for this game today and that’s really what we did.”

Marc Stein of the New York Times told ESPN Radio prior to the game that it was “nonstop Anthony Davis talk” during the weekend’s festivities.