There are only 10 teams that never won an NBA championship. The New Orleans Pelicans, who were retroactively rebranded as a new franchise after the Charlotte Hornets relocated to Louisiana in 2002, find themselves among that unlucky number. In fact, they have only nine postseason appearances in their 23-year history.
Realistically, the Pelicans could end their title drought as early as next season though. To be completely transparent, they’re barely considered playoff-contenders right now. Nonetheless, all a team needs these days is just enough talent and luck to make it to the NBA Finals. Who’s to say the New Orleans won’t be one of the two that do?
All of that being said, there are three burning questions facing the Pelicans heading into 2025-26, and none of them have to do with winning the championship next year.
3 Burning Questions For Pelicans Heading Into 2025-26 Season
How Will The Rookies Fare?
In the 2025 NBA Draft, New Orleans picked up two of the most popular prospects in Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears (No. 7 overall) and Maryland center Derik Queen (No. 13 overall). Yet, after Fears and Queen became the newest Pelicans, criticisms came flying in left and right.
Most of it was directed towards Queen, whose skill level and athletic ability are on opposite sides of the spectrum. For whatever reason, the Baltimore native is expected to play more like a rim-running shot-blocker than offensive fulcrum. Nevermind the fan fare that Houston Rockets star center Alperen Sengun receives while having similar traits. Nevermind the fact that the Pelicans already had a more traditional big man in Yves Missi.
Unfortunately for Queen and his team, he tore a wrist ligament in Summer League action. He’ll now be out for at least three months, endangering his availability for the season opener. When he does return, he’ll have missed out on an opportunity to jump on a starting spot. Nevertheless, Queen could fare pretty well as the offensive focal point of the second unit.
Meanwhile, Fears managed to escape Las Vegas unscathed. His performances in the exhibitions were up and down, as expected. However, he’s a breathtaking ball-handler who could be a true force in the NBA one day. The 18-year-old needs to sharpen up his reads and his shooting more than anything. Yet, he has the potential to be a Day 1 starter, especially given Dejounte Murray‘s injury.
What Happens With Zion Williamson?
Thus far, 2019 No. 1 pick Zion Williamson‘s career has been the tale of two halves.
As a rookie, he was limited to 29 games thanks to a right meniscus tear he sustained in the preseason. However, he still managed to come in third in the Rookie of the Year race. Capitalizing on that momentum, Williamson earned his first All-Star selection the very next season. Averaging a team-high 27.0 points (on 61.1 percent shooting from the field), 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 stocks (steals and blocks combined) per game, he undoubtedly looked like the Pelicans best prospect.
Williamson then suffered another serious lower body injury in the subsequent offseason. This time, it was a fractured right foot. New Orleans initially hoped he would be healthy by the season opener. Yet, he ended up missing 2021-22 entirely. It’s a testament to his talent that they signed him to a five-year designated rookie max extension the next summer. A few months later, he was named an All-Star for the second time, the organization’s gamble looking like it paid off.
The wheels fell off right after that.
A strained right hamstring that actually prevented him from playing in the 2023 All-Star Game ended up keeping him out for the remainder of the season. Over the next few months, Williamsons’s weight ballooned, becoming a topic of conversation. However, following a poor showing in the 2023 In-Season Tournament, Williamson ended up shedding 25 pounds in an effort to get back on the right track.
On The Clock
With that in mind, Williamson has averaged 24.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.2 stocks per game since the 2024 All-Star Break. He hasn’t been quite as efficient but he’s become a better playmaker at both ends. The problem is that he’s missed quite a few games in that time, only playing in 30 last season. Furthermore, he’s started to find himself in off-court drama that reflects poorly on him and the organization.
At this point in time, his job is safe. Still, the clock could be running out due to his injury history and disciplinary issues. In fact, they could realistically trade Williamson as early as this season.
Are They Playoff Bound?
There have only been two seasons (2021-22, 2023-24) that the Pelicans have clinched a playoff berth since drafting Williamson.
If judged by that alone, the Zion Era hasn’t been a success. However, it’s clear that there’s a direct correlation between his health and the team’s wins. Since he was drafted, they’re 109-105 when he’s played and 100-158 when he hasn’t. The difference in those win percentages is the difference between being a playoff (or Play-In) contender and fighting for a spot in the lottery.
Thus, the key for the Pelicans next season should be getting Williamson through it as healthy as possible. Given how his career has panned out, that could mean limiting his minutes and being strict about his conditioning. As most of his injuries have been on the same leg, it may also be wise for him to cut back on how often he dunks.
If Williamson can play 60+ games, all Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy III have to be is themselves. With that in mind, Poole and Murphy averaged 41.7 points per game combined in 2024-25. Their firepower being buoyed by the likes of Fears, Queen, 2024-25 breakout Brandon Boston Jr. should go a long way. The defense provided by players like Missi, Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado will as well.
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