The New Orleans Pelicans have had a bullseye on their back all season for reasons that are myriad but not entirely unrelated.
Why The N’Orleans Pelicans Have Been Sinking… For Several Seasons
Consider this.
The Pelicans are a franchise that have seemed to waste their best talent, from 12-time All-Star Chris Paul to 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis. Yet, their mediocrity can’t be entirely blamed on mismanaged resources, with current franchise cornerstone Zion Williamson’s injuries and ill-advised off-court habits out of their control. The former first overall pick’s frequent absences aren’t just easy to spot because he’s a modern reimagining of power dunker Shawn Kemp. Since drafting Williamson in 2019, New Orleans is 131-145 in the games he’s played and 104-172 in the games that he’s missed.
Keeping all of this in mind, the Pelicans have had several chances to change the face of their franchise over the past few years. And, just when it seems they might finally acquiesce, they never do. Instead, they’ve changed everything around it. The general manager that drafted Williamson, David Griffin, has been fired. Williamson’s first three coaches –Alvin Gentry, Stan Van Gundy and Willie Green –have also been replaced. By the end of the summer, James Borrego may become the fourth head coach removed from his post during the Zion Era.
New Orleans Voodoo
Last night, N’Orleans finally saw the French Quarter magic they’ve been looking for.
Facing the Utah Jazz at home, the Pelicans scored a season-high 156 points with just five players scoring in double-figures. There was no Williamson, no Trey Murphy III, no Saddiq Bey. Even Dejounte Murray was sidelined. It was just Jeremiah Fears (40 points), Jordan Poole (34 points), Jordan Hawkins (25 points), Micah Peavy (20 points) and Derik Queen (17 points). Within that quintet, there were three players –Fears (six assists, three steals), Queen (seven assists, three steals) and Hawkins (four assists, three steals) –who also recorded at least four assists and three steals.
Jeremiah Fears 40 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 17/29 FG, 5/5 FT, 64.1% TS vs Jazz
Youngest guard to drop 40. pic.twitter.com/Ovlqdq4J8q https://t.co/XSyWzSOX6t
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) April 8, 2026
For a franchise that’s been rather tepid about remodeling their roster, their performances were flashing in neon lights.
Derik Queen 17 Points, 12 Rebs, 7 Assists, 3 Steals full highlight vs Jazz | 25-26 NBA Season pic.twitter.com/C6z2CtX7wA
— Hoops Showtime (@HoopsShowtime12) April 8, 2026
If they can get this production out of five players under the age of 27, two of whom were rookies, their future is brighter than it looked.
Derik Queen or Zion Williamson?
Williamson’s internal and external value has rebounded some after years marred by on-court controversy and off-court drama. Yet, given what they gave up for him, flipping Williamson and focusing on Queen is a definite possibility. Yes, they nominally play different positions. However, they’re both at their best with the ball in their hands and neither are reliable floor-spacers.
The Backcourt Rotation of the Future?
Murray, a vocal veteran locker room leader, doesn’t have to be traded. Even so, Fears is the first unit floor general of the future and should be treated as such. At this point of their careers, the only advantage that Murray has over Fears is experience. The way to close that gap? More reps for the youngest guard to score 40 points in NBA history.
It must be said but there was a time that Hawkins looked like a bust. So much so that he might even be usurped by Peavy. That being said, if both of them can be efficient beyond the arc, it’ll unlock a new level in New Orleans’ offense. Indeed, one of the Pelicans’ bigger issues over the years has been floor balance. In three of the last five seasons, they’ve shot below 35 percent on 3-pointers.
The Last Word On The Pelicans’ Future
Right now, the Pelicans’ list of untouchable players consists of Williamson, Murphy, Fears, Queen and Herb Jones. The problem with that group is that they haven’t been a very successful five-man unit this season.
Outscored by 9.6 points per 100 possessions, they’re hindered by a lack of discipline, defense, rebounding and 3-point shooting. Interestingly though, if Williamson is replaced by Bey in that lineup, they outscore opponents by +6.0 points per 100 possessions. Perhaps even stranger, when Bey is inserted for Williamson and Karlo Matkovic supplants Jones, they’ve outscored opponents by 14.7 points per 100 possessions.
Moving forward, Williamson could very well be the odd man out of New Orleans. Of course, this has been said repeatedly over the past few seasons. However, this is the first year that Plan B doesn’t just consist of giving Murphy the keys. This time, they actually have a core that they can build around.
© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
