What’s Gone Wrong in New Orleans? Pelicans’ 0-6 Start Exposes Deeper Issues

After a disastrous 2024 season, there was hope that the Pelicans would be able to show some return to form this year, but it has somehow gotten even worse in New Orleans. The Pelicans are off to the worst start in their franchise's history, sitting at 0-6. The problem for New Orleans is that they haven’t even been competitive in most of their games this year.

There are two ways to look at the start of this season. I’ll try to cast a more positive outlook for the rest of their season, but there’s not a lot to love so far. The Pelicans have had what I am hoping is bad shot variance to start the season. Their entire starting five is shooting well below their career averages across the board. Zion Williamson is the player who has been the biggest culprit of the poor shooting concerns.

Last season, Zion was finishing looks in the restricted area at just under 60%; however, this season, he has only finished those same looks at 48%. Is this an issue of shots not falling during a small six-game sample, or is this a bigger problem to be concerned with? Zion has had seasons where he has finished those same looks at over 63%, so I would be very shocked if his averages continue to stay that low. Still, I am concerned about the weight he lost from his frame this summer; his body isn’t able to withstand physical contact as well as it could before.

In the preseason, the Pelicans were my favorite win total futures bet due to the strides Zion made this offseason, particularly in maintaining his physical health. However, I am a little concerned that prior injuries may have compromised some of his elite athleticism. Zion is still a top-20 player in the league; he just hasn’t been the top-10 player I was hoping he would become.

Trey Murphy is dealing with similar issues when finishing at the hoop. He’s only shooting 44% in the restricted area, down from his 60% last season. He’s also been less efficient from behind the arc. Last season’s increase in scoring volume has not carried over yet, and if he isn’t an efficient three-level scorer, I’m not sure his contract extension makes a ton of sense.

My final big concern for the Pelicans is the coaching. Late in games, the offense looks rough, as even when they’ve had chances to pull games out late, I’ve really disliked some of the lineups we’ve been seeing. Not only that, but Willie Green has been playing way too many guys regularly. Sadiq Bey and DeAndre Jordan can’t be reliable depth pieces in a serious lineup in 2025.

Rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen have at least shown flashes this season for the Pelicans, but their minutes are getting blocked by players who will not be a part of the future in New Orleans. Make these two bigger parts of this season, so their development can progress at a faster rate. DeAndre Jordan should not be stealing a single minute from Derik Queen. Let him work through any issues this season so that you can compete sooner rather than later.

The excellent news for the Pelicans is that, at least, they’ll be in contention for one of the elite prospects available in the lottery this year…

That would be the case if the Pelicans didn’t make one of the most bone-headed trades I’ve ever seen by moving up into the back end of the lottery, for their late first in 2025, and their first round pick next year! The Pelicans don’t have their draft pick, and are hardly playing their first-round pick they moved up to get.

Blow this team up, and fire everyone across the board. This team is an absolute nightmare, and I don’t see how they make any strides without acquiring more draft capital.