Report: David Griffin agrees to join Pelicans in executive role

Former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin has an agreement in principle to run the basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. His job title with the Pelicans is expected to be the executive vice president of basketball operations.

Griffin mutually agreed to part ways with the Cavaliers in 2017 after the two sides couldn't come to terms on a contract extension. He's since been considered among the most highly regarded front office executives on the market.

The Pelicans vacated their GM position when they fired Dell Demps in February after the mishandling of the controversial Anthony Davis trade demand.

The position was given to Danny Ferry on an interim basis, but the former Cavaliers forward told Wojnarowski that he pulled out of the running to remain with the Pelicans on a full-time basis.

"I let the Pelicans know throughout the process that, for a few reasons, the timing wasn't right for my family to move full time to New Orleans," Ferry said. "It's a great job and deserves a full-time focus."

Griffin will be tasked with handling Davis' trade demand after the organization failed to deal the superstar big man ahead of February's trade deadline.

The Pelicans (33-49) finished 13th in the Western Conference this year and will miss the postseason for the sixth time in eight seasons.