Head coach Willie Green talked about his uncertain future after the Pelicans closed out the season by losing to Oklahoma City Sunday afternoon, writes Brett Martel of The Associated Press. The loss ended a disappointing year for Green’s injury-ravaged team, which began the campaign with playoff aspirations, but would up with the second-worst record in the West and the fourth worst in the league at 21-61.
“I haven’t had any discussions, any talks yet,” Green said. “I didn’t do great great. I have to take full ownership of where we are as a team. We failed. I failed.”
“I think that’s important. You try to look at the body of work,” Green said. “But I didn’t give myself this job. I had to be chosen for this position, and I’m grateful.”
A wave of injuries to key players took away any chance the Pelicans had of being competitive. After playing in 70 games in 2023/24, star forward Zion Williamson was limited to 30 due to several health issues, with a strained hamstring being the worst. Dejounte Murray, who was acquired in a trade last summer, broke his hand on opening night and suffered a torn Achilles in late January, limiting him to 31 games.
A shoulder injury forced Herbert Jones to miss 62 games. An injured ankle limited Brandon Ingram to 18 games before he was traded to Toronto in February. Multiple injuries sidelined Trey Murphy for 29 games.
Although the injuries help to explain the Pelicans’ downfall, that may not be enough to save Green or head of basketball operations David Griffin, whose job is also rumored to be in jeopardy. Griffin didn’t speak to reporters after Sunday’s game, according to Martel.
Whether they involve the front office, coaching staff or players, changes are expected in New Orleans during the offseason.
“We truly don’t know who’s going back. I’m just trying to be honest with you,” Murphy said. “Nobody is safe.”
I don’t think it’s Green’s fault but you probably move on and get a new voice in there. Ingram is gone, team will be different. Tough gig for whomever they hire until Zion can play 65+
This entire franchise needs a reset. Zion is the face of the franchise both positively and negatively. Anything can go wrong, absolutely DID go wrong this past season. Willie Green isn’t the problem. It’s David Griffin. He’s made so many boneheaded moves that it backfired. The only hope they have is to get lucky for Flagg or Harper and try to move CJ and Zion and find guys that fit their mentality.
Respectfully, I disagree that the franchise needs a reset. The Pels are probably a playoff team next year, even if Zion plays only his usual 35 games, because of all the high quality players returning from injury. This is the same group that many picked to finish in the top 5 in the west in 2023-24.
They have a great looking set of 4 starters w/o Zion.
Dejonte Murray (PG) and Herb Jones (SG/SF) return.
Trey Murphy III (SF) is a rising star. Yves Missi (C) is a keeper. And they should get a great young player in the draft.
Plus Zion and CJ McCollum are nice trade chips.