Tommy Sheppard to interview for Pelicans job, according to report

Wizards Interim President of Basketball Operations Tommy Sheppard is one of six candidates the Pelicans are interviewing to replace Dell Demps as the Pelicans’ General Manager, according to Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Ted Leonsis made it clear after dismissing Ernie Grunfeld earlier this week that Sheppard would receive serious consideration to be the full-time replacement. It would keep in line with how Leonsis promoted Brian MacLellan to be the Capitals’ new General Manager after he dismissed George McPhee in 2014. However, if the Wizards go with an external candidate—such as Nuggets GM Tim Connelly or Celtics Assistant GM Mike Zarren—odds are they’ll want to bring in their own people for the front office, so it only makes sense for Sheppard to consider all options at this point.

This won’t be the first time Sheppard has interviewed for a general manager position. He interviewed with the Hawks in 2017 and the Nets in 2016.

The Pelicans are also interviewing Danny Ferry, who serves as an advisor with the Pelicans and previously served as GM of the Cavaliers and Hawks. Another former Cavs GM, David Griffin, is also reportedly a candidate. The other three reported candidates are Warriors Assistant GM Larry Harris, Nets Assistant GM Trajan Langdon, and Rockets Executive VP Gersson Rojas.