The New Orleans Pelicans

Concern-o-meter: 9/10

Is it ever lower than a nine out of 10 with the Pelicans and being concerned? The fact that people took note of July 15 being the date the Pelicans had to fully guarantee Zion Williamson’s contract for next season shows you the uncertainty of that entire situation. They made some confusing trades at the draft, sending away CJ McCollum (fine) for Jordan Poole (head-scratching) and then giving away an unprotected, highly valuable first-round pick in 2026 to move up to 13th to draft Derik Queen from Maryland. Queen has already needed surgery to repair a wrist issue, and he’ll hopefully be back in October.

The Pelicans always have massive injury concerns, Zion aside. Dejounte Murray tore his Achilles in January. Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones combined to play 73 games last season. There are so many components to like on this roster, but I’m not sure how they go together. Willie Green has been a good coach early in his career, but it’s hard to know if he’ll continue to have the support from new management (Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver) and ownership.

When Zion is healthy and plays, he’s historic. If he doesn’t play (enough), what is this team?

7 comments

  1. From a national post it is not an unfair write up. Nobody outside of Pels fans drinking up the hopium are betting Zion can play 70+ games, but play at a dominate level for those games and stay healthy. We already have DJM out till the end of Jan and we desperately need 2 rookies to become a big portion of the rotation and impact winning all while not controlling our 26 FRP and having the option to change course mid season.

    For those of you who truly believe Zion will play 70+ games feel free to go drop $5k or more on a bet he will play 70 games. I am sure Vegas will give you great odds.

  2. I’m gonna be downvoted but Zion’s been with the team for so long and every year it’s like he is gonna be great. Then he plays half his games.

    Honestly, if he plays 70+ games this year, his value is gonna be at an all time high. Trade him and build behind our two lottery picks that we traded away unprotected picks for. At least commit to the rebuild. We can get a pretty good haul for Zion and there’s also the fact that Queen and Zion don’t fit together.

  4. I’m fine with bringing in Poole, although I really wish we kept Olynyk.

    Trading the unprotected pick swap for Queen is unforgivable 

  5. I really hate how the media talk about us being bad because of injuries but always talk about Willie being a “good young” coach, every Pels fan has the exact same opinion on him and it’s that he should be gone

  6. I still don’t get the Poole for CJ trade hate. If we still had CJ they’d say it’s a minus that we hadn’t moved an expiring yet, and Poole is still pretty young and objectively earned his ring

  7. Looney is a good pick up, I’m concerned 10/10, but I have been here 20+ years so that’s par for the course.  

    Do think Poole could open the offense up for Trey and hopefully Hawk. If he is a willing passer (big if) then that much spacing and shot creation would be new for the Pels. 

    CJ will go down like Jrue, legend to us true fans and under appreciated by the rest.  

    Missi jump would be great, Fears playing 15 minutes and defending would be huge, but he could have Kira Lewis in him.  Hopefully not.. need Herb and Trey to show up day one ready to Fing go, Jose needs to be there 80 games and be more than GTA. 

    In the end, the hawks are going to have Dyson and Naw playing together along with that lottery pick, and no matter what, that makes me sad.  But there is a world where this team isn’t bad and Zion plays.. but who knows and honestly, if this team could move in 5 years that’s more reason to enjoy them now. 

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