With just a day to go before the 2024 NBA draft, the New Orleans Pelicans have filled a pair of key front office roles.
The team announced Tuesday morning that it had officially promoted Bryson Graham as its next GM, filling the void left by Trajan Langdon who departed to become the top executive for the Detroit Pistons. Graham had been in the role of assistant GM under Langdon.
“Bryson has built a stellar reputation throughout the NBA,” said Pelicans Executive VP of Basketball Operations David Griffin in a news release. “First and foremost, he is recognized for the strength of his character. His work ethic, basketball acumen, leadership ability and eye for talent have contributed immeasurably to our growth as a franchise. I couldn’t be happier to see him assume the role of general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans.
New Orleans also named Jon Moul as its director of cap & strategy. The title appears to be a new one for the Pelicans, with Moul previously serving as the director of basketball strategy and legal affairs for the Charlotte Hornets.
The moves were first reported earlier in June. New Orleans is also expected to elevate Swin Cash to the role of Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Graham, 37, has held several roles with the Pelicans, including serving as video coordinator, scouting coordinator and player development director. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Graham played collegiately at Texas A&M, where he served as a graduate assistant before becoming a front office intern with the then-Hornets.
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Graham will now join a front office group that includes Executive VP of basketball Operations David Griffin and VP of Basketball Operations & Team Development Swin Cash as the Pelicans head into a pivotal offseason. The Pelicans own the No. 21 overall pick in Wednesday's draft, and also must make some key decisions in terms of a potential contract extension or trade for star Brandon Ingram, and whether to retain key role players from the past few seasons in wing Naji Marshall and center Jonas Valanciunas.
The Pelicans have seen their record improve in each of head coach Willie Green's three seasons, going from 36 to 42 to 49 wins, though they have yet to emerge from the first round of the postseason and superstar Zion Williamson has continued to battle injuries that have kept him out of each of the past three postseasons.