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Pelicans fire GM Dell Demps

Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The New Orleans Pelicans have parted ways with general manager Dell Demps.

"As difficult as these decisions are, my responsibility is to provide the leadership and resources necessary to deliver a winning team to our fans and community," Pelicans owner Gayle Benson said in a statement. "I take that responsibility seriously and would like to assure our fans that I am prepared to provide any, and all, resources required to compete for championships. My expectations, and the expectations of our fans, are that this team will compete at a high level for the remainder of the season."

Danny Ferry will take over as the team's interim general manager.

"We will immediately begin the process of restructuring our basketball operations department," Benson said. "This will include a comprehensive, but confidential, search aided by outside consultants to identify a new leader of our basketball operations, directly reporting to me."

Ownership was reportedly angered when Anthony Davis left the arena after sustaining an injury during Thursday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Head coach Alvin Gentry doesn't appear to be in danger of losing his job as ownership and senior management are reportedly satisfied with him and his staff.

New Orleans hired Demps following the 2010 draft. He drafted Davis two years later with the No. 1 pick in 2012. The team made three playoff appearances during his tenure, advancing past the first round just once.

Ferry previously served as a GM for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-10 and the Atlanta Hawks from 2012-14.

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