Pelicans make front office decision after losing GM to Pistons

Just days after Trajon Langdon departed for the Detroit Pistons, the New Orleans Pelicans have found his replacement – promoting Bryson Graham to general manager, per Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610:

“Source tells  @SportsRadio610 the New Orleans Pelicans are promoting Bryson Graham to general manager. Graham worked his way up from intern to assistant GM in the Pels front office. He replaces Trajan Langdon, who was named Pistons President of Basketball Operations this week”

Langdon has worked the last five seasons as general manager of the Pelicans. His role had him second in command behind executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin. Langdon also served as the assistant general manager of the Brooklyn Nets under Sean Marks from 2016 until 2019. He also has experience with the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he was a scout from 2012 to 2015.

Reports last month had the Pelicans’ new GM connected to that Pistons job, as well as a potential opening in Brooklyn. Instead, he accepts a promotion to remain in New Orleans.

Graham, 37, joined the Pelicans’ front office as intern back in 2010, and has served as the team’s Player Development Director, Video Coordinator/Player Development Coach, Scouting Coordinator, and Director of College Scouting, before being named as the Pelicans’ assistant general manager in 2019

A native of San Antonio, Graham played at Texas A&M from 2006-2009, and served as a graduate assistant under coach Mark Turgeon before joining the Pelicans.

He replaces a front office that has done a great job of finding young talent for their roster. Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Jose Alvarado and others are prime examples.  The Pelicans have also done a successful job of adding veterans to complement their young core – including Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas.

Pelicans’ Bryson Graham faces big decision this offseason