A healthy Zion Williamson returns alongside new addition Jordan Poole in New Orleans. (Photos by Tim Warner & Mitchell Leff/NBAE via Getty Images)
Get Caught Up
2024-25 Record: 21-61 (14th in West, missed playoffs)
The Pelicans increased their win total for four straight seasons, peaking at 49 wins and a playoff berth in 2023-24. Then injuries derailed them, leaving New Orleans with the West’s second-worst record last season.
Zion Williamson (52 games), Dejounte Murray (51), Trey Murphy III (29) and CJ McCollum (26) all missed extended time. Forward Brandon Ingram was traded at midseason as the team finished in the bottom five in both offensive and defensive rating.
But last season’s struggles gave the Pelicans a chance to reset and rebuild. With Williamson returning around a fresh crop of young talent, this could be the start of a promising new chapter in New Orleans.
Offseason
- Re-signing: Herb Jones (extension)
- Additions: Saddiq Bey (trade), Kevon Looney (free agent), Jordan Poole (trade)
- Draft: Jeremiah Fears (7th pick), Derik Queen (13th pick, acquired via trade), Micah Peavy (40th pick, acquired via trade)
- Departures: Brandon Boston Jr. (overseas), Bruce Brown (free agent), CJ McCollum (trade), Kelly Olynyk (trade), Antonio Reeves (waived)
- Unsigned Free Agents: Elfrid Payton, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
New Orleans is leaning on a mix of young talent and proven scorers to try to flip the script. Poole (20.5 ppg in 2024-25) and Bey (missed 2024-25 with torn ACL) arrived via a three-team trade that sent McCollum and Olynyk to Washington. Meanwhile, Looney — who won three NBA titles in Golden State, including one with Poole — adds a veteran presence and stability down low.
The Pelicans also made a splash on draft night, selecting Jeremiah Fears with their No. 7 overall pick before trading back into the lottery to grab Derik Queen at No. 13. While Queen recovers from a torn ligament in his left wrist, Fears could see early time in the backcourt, with Murray rehabbing from a torn Achilles suffered in January.
Williamson remains the focal point as he’s still just 25 years old and capable of elite production when healthy. Jones highlights the defense, and Murphy continues his rise as a promising two-way wing.
Catching up with Trey Murphy III during a workout with @DrewHanlen in LA! pic.twitter.com/a7KrKLTdOY
— NBA (@NBA) August 27, 2025
X-factor
Trey Murphy III. Zion Williamson is must-see TV whenever he takes the floor, but the Pelicans have another 25-year-old forward brimming with potential. Murphy III was in the middle of a breakout year before a torn labrum ended his season in March. An explosive athlete with length, the 6-foot-8 wing can dunk over bigs, pull up from distance and overwhelm ball-handlers defensively.
In Year 4, Murphy III boosted his scoring from 14.8 to 21.2 ppg while also setting career-bests in rebounds (5.1) and assists (3.5). But it wasn’t just the leap in production… it was how he got there. A career 38.3% 3-point shooter, Murphy III improved his attack off the dribble, posting career-high averages in drives, points in the paint and percentage of points off midrange jumpers. He also added 1.1 steals per game.
Combine his growing offensive game with his natural tools and defensive instincts, and Murphy III has the potential to emerge as one of the NBA’s most dynamic two-way wings.
> Watch Trey Murphy III on NBA League Pass
New Orleans Pelicans 2025-26 X-factor – Trey Murphy III
Check out some of the best plays from Trey Murphy III during the 2024-25 season.
One key question
Can Williamson stay healthy and lead the Pelicans back to the postseason? His postseason debut in the 2024 Play-In Tournament against the Lakers encapsulated everything that makes him unmissable — and everything that’s frustrated Pelicans fans. He ran the floor, threw down highlight dunks and bulldozed his way to 40 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. But after tying the game late in the 4th quarter, a hamstring strain ended his night (and ultimately his season) as New Orleans lost in the first round with him sidelined.
The two-time All-Star has never averaged below 22.0 points per game nor shot under 55% from the floor in a season. His 18.6 points in the paint per game are the most by any player to debut in the last 29 seasons. However, he has played in 129 regular-season games in the last four seasons.
New Orleans has added talent around him, including Murray, Poole, Fears and Queen. But the Pelicans’ ceiling still hinges on Williamson staying on the floor.
Fantasy Outlook from RotoWire
The team at RotoWire broke down the top fantasy options for each team in the West. Here’s how they broke down some of the best options from the Pelicans:
“The Pelicans have Williamson as their core player, but the depth pieces and co-starters are intriguing, to say the least. The Pelicans also feature a proven scorer in Jordan Poole, a do-it-all guard in Dejounte Murray, two defensive aces in Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III, and depth down low with Yves Missi, 2025 lottery pick Derik Queen and veteran Kevon Looney. The biggest piece of the puzzle remains Williamson, though. If he stays healthy and produces, we’re looking at a player who could easily average 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists and 1.5 steals per game. If he’s not on the court, though, then the Pelicans could be bound to face another long season stuck in the middle of nowhere.”
Key dates
- Preseason Opener (NBA Melbourne Games): Oct. 3 vs. Melbourne United (5:30 AM ET, League Pass), Oct. 4 vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix (11 ET, League Pass)
- Regular Season Opener: Oct. 22 at Grizzlies (8 ET, League Pass)
- Home Opener: Oct. 24 vs. Spurs (8 ET, League Pass)
- Emirates NBA Cup West Group B Play: Oct. 31 at Clippers (10:30 ET, League Pass), Nov. 14 vs. Lakers (8 ET, League Pass), Nov. 21 at Mavericks (8:30 ET, League Pass), Nov. 26 vs. Grizzlies (8 ET, League Pass)
What they’re saying
Law Murray, The Athletic: “Dejounte Murray won’t begin the season while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, which should allow lottery pick Fears to get plenty of minutes. Poole was acquired in place of McCollum, and Poole should probably start at point guard in a lineup that includes Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones and Yves Missi. Looney left Golden State after a decade, and he should be the replacement for Robinson-Earl as a backup center. Queen replaces Olynyk, while Fears replaces Payton. Bey, who did not play last year in Washington while recovering from a torn ACL, replaces Brown. There is plenty of size here, but the defense will be a concern, and so will the offense when Williamson starts to miss time.” (Read More)
