After making several offseason roster moves, the New Orleans Pelicans enter the 2025-26 season aiming to improve upon their 21-61 record from last year.
The front office, led by new president Joe Dumars, acquired Saddiq Bey and Jordan Poole from the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk. The team also signed Kevon Looney to a two-year, $16 million contract.
Advertisement
The Pelicans selected Jeremiah Fears (seventh), Derik Queen (13th) and Micah Peavy (40th) in the 2025 NBA draft. The team traded the No. 23 pick and a 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta to move up to take Queen, a move that was met with heavy criticism.
Behind their recent additions, the team isn’t projected nationally to make much noise this season: They enter training camp with the fifth-lowest odds (plus-15000) of winning the Western Conference in their fifth year under coach Willie Green.
With the team opening training camp on Sept. 24, Rookie Wire examined the Pelicans’ depth chart and offered an early projection of the starters and backups entering the season.
PG
Mar 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (13) dribbles the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Jordan Poole: $31,848,215
Jose Alvarado: $4,500,000
Jeremiah Fears: $7,520,040
Dejounte Murray: $30,801,103*
Advertisement
*Expected to miss the start of the season (Achilles)
SG
Dec 21, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (25) brings the ball up court against the New York Knicks during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Trey Murphy III: $25,000,000
Jordan Hawkins: $4,741,320
SF
Dec 19, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2) drives against Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
PF
Mar 8, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives with the ball as Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Zion Williamson: $39,466,090
Karlo Matković: $1,955,377
C
Nov 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) shoots the ball in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
*Expected to miss the start of the season (wrist)
Two-Way Contracts
Pelicans salary information via Spotrac
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Pelicans depth chart: Projecting starters, backups for 2025-26 season