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Report: Pelicans poach Suns’ well respected athletic trainer Aaron Nelson

New Orleans Pelicans v Houston Rockets

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 05: A detail shot of the pelican logo on the shorts of Arinze Onuaku #21 of the New Orleans Pelicans in preseason NBA game on October 5, 2013 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The Pelicans won 116 to 115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

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When David Griffin was hired as the new president of basketball operations in New Orleans, he talked about investing in critical areas for the Pelicans: Analytics, player development, and the athletic training side.

Marc Stein of the New York Times reports Griffin is making significant strides in at least one of those areas.

The Suns have had a reputation for prolonging players careers and keeping them healthy because of their athletic training staff and conditioning programs. Bringing some of that magic to New Orleans would boost the organization’s reputation among players and agents.

It is going to take time and a lot of small steps to turn things around in New Orleans. This is one of those steps.