The New Orleans Pelicans are set to enter the 2025-26 NBA season looking to put last season’s struggles behind them as they try to challenge for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference.
Of course, the Pelicans finished with the second-worst record in the West last year behind only the Utah Jazz as they saw almost their entire roster miss significant time due to injuries.
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Now with most of their core healthy entering the new season, New Orleans is looking to contend for a playoff spot in the West behind their core of Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III.
The New Orleans Pelicans Zion Williamson© Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
The Pelicans also made some key additions to their roster this offseason as they acquired Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey from the Washington Wizards in the CJ McCollum trade, signed Kevon Looney in free agency and selected both Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen in the 2025 draft.
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With these moves, the Pelicans have built a solid core to try and secure a playoff spot in the West, though they could look to make moves ahead of the trade deadline if they have another rocky start to the season.
Rival Teams to Monitor Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones This Season
If the Pelicans do decide to make moves at the trade deadline, two players who could be on the move are Jones and Murphy III.
Both forwards were in trade rumors this offseason and according to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, rival teams are expected to be “closely monitoring” both players this season.
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Sidery did mention in his report that the Pelicans have been reluctant to trade both players but if New Orleans has another slow start to the season, they may have teams calling them about both players.
Of course, Murphy III has been the main player in trade rumors this offseason as there were reports that both the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs showed interest in the 25-year-old forward.
Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Last season, Murphy III averaged 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 45.4% from the field and 36.1% from three.
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The young forward has blossomed into one of the best young 3-and-D wings in the NBA and if the Pelicans do look to move him this season, expect them to have a high asking price for him.
Jones was another Pelicans’ player in trade rumors this offseason due to his scoring and defensive abilities.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2)Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Last season, the 26-year-old forward averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 43.6% from the field and 30.6% from three.
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Like Murphy III, the Pelicans will likely have a high asking price for Jones this season and if they are open to moving both of them, New Orleans could receive solid trade packages for them to turn their franchise around.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.