NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The New Orleans Pelicans officially released their 2026-27 schedule on Thursday, highlighting a major defensive rebuild under new head coach Jamahl Mosley, a historic homecoming draft pick, and a rare global tour across Europe.<\/p>\n
New Orleans, which finished 26-56 last season and missed the playoffs, is seeking a complete identity shift. <\/p>\n
Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars acted quickly this offseason by hiring Mosley, the former Orlando Magic coach who built a reputation on elite team defense.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are going to do it defensively,\u201d Mosley said at his introductory press conference, addressing a roster that ranked 23rd in defensive rating last season. \u201cIf you want to ask about the offense, that\u2019s fine, but defense is how we will set our identity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mosley inherits a versatile young defensive core. Alongside former NBA first-team all-defense selection Herb Jones, the Pelicans will feature center Yves Missi, defensive forward Micah Peavy, and sophomore big man Derik Queen.<\/p>\n
Queen and guard Jeremiah Fears, both bright spots on last season\u2019s NBA.com<\/a> Rookie Ladder, were notably held out of the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League roster. <\/p>\n Team officials indicated the decision was made to prepare them for immediate, high-volume roles in the main rotation this winter. Queen, who grabbed national attention with a 30-point game<\/a> against three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic last season, is poised for a breakout sophomore year.<\/p>\n PELICANS HEADLINES<\/p>\n History on Draft Night<\/p>\n Adding to the franchise\u2019s offseason transformation is SMU guard Jaron Pierre Jr., a graduate of New Orleans\u2019 St. Augustine High School. The Pelicans selected Pierre with the No. 58 overall pick in the second round of the NBA draft.<\/p>\n Pierre is the first New Orleans native ever drafted by the franchise.<\/p>\n Pierre, a 6-foot-6 guard, averaged 17.5 points per game and shot 37 percent from 3-point range during his final college season. While second-round selections typically split time on two-way contracts with the G League\u2019s newly rebranded Lake Town Squadron in Kenner, Pierre\u2019s perimeter shooting is expected to earn him looks at the Smoothie King Center.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a dream come true to represent my city,\u201d Pierre said. \u201cI\u2019m ready to get to work and show what New Orleans basketball is about.\u201d<\/p>\n Pelicans Going Global<\/p>\n The schedule features an international twist. In mid-January, the Pelicans will travel to Europe for a two-game series against Victor Wembanyama and the division-rival San Antonio Spurs.<\/p>\n The Pelicans will square off against the Spurs in the NBA Paris Game on Jan. 14, 2027, before traveling to the United Kingdom to play in the NBA Manchester Game on Jan. 17, 2027.<\/p>\n All Pelicans games not picked up for national broadcast will be carried on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.<\/p>\n See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here<\/a> to report it. Please include the headline.<\/p>\n