For the New Orleans Pelicans to get where they want to go in the 2026-27 season, the biggest variable is still Zion Williamson. Health matters, sure. But beyond that, the real question is whether he’s being put in position to do what he does best.
That’s where Jamahl Mosley comes in.
New Orleans has made its stance pretty clear since Joe Dumars arrived. He and Troy Weaver like this roster and believe it can compete as built.
The missing piece, in their eyes, was the coach who could make that vision click. They believe Mosley is that coach, and his track record points to one very specific move that could matter most: putting the ball in Zion’s hands.
That’s not just about giving Williamson more touches for the sake of it. It’s about using him as the engine.
Zion has grown into a strong decision maker, the kind of player who can be trusted to handle the ball and bend defenses with the attention he draws. When he’s making plays instead of waiting on them, the entire offense gets more dangerous.
Mosley has already shown what that kind of setup can look like.
In Orlando, his teams were known first for defense, but the other big takeaway was how much freedom he gave Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. In 2024-25, when the Magic were one of the league’s most entertaining teams, both forwards carried usage rates above 31 percent.
Mosley didn’t force them into one role. He let them initiate, score, operate in the short roll, pass off handoffs, and keep the offense moving.
They touched the ball constantly because the system was built around their versatility.
That blueprint fits Zion.
Last season, Williamson put up career lows across the board, and the biggest reason was simple: his usage rate was the lowest of his career. For a forward whose greatest strength is creating advantages, fewer touches meant less impact. If he can climb back toward that near 30 percent usage range, New Orleans gives itself a real chance to take a step forward in Mosley’s first year.
The passing piece matters too. Getting Zion back into that five-assists-per-game range would go a long way for a team that needs help covering up its subpar three-point shooting.
Every time he attacks the rim, defenses have to collapse. That opens the door for Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III to do damage as catch-and-shoot threats from deep.
That’s the path Mosley can bring with him from Orlando: drive, collapse, kick, repeat. If Zion Williamson is used the way Wagner and Banchero were, the Pelicans can build a much stronger offense around his strengths.
If New Orleans wants to be in the playoff mix next season, it needs the best version of Zion. And the best version of Zion is the one controlling possessions, creating for others and forcing defenses to react. Mosley’s history suggests he understands that.
In Other News...
Pelicans Have A 2027 Draft Opportunity Fans Should Already Be Watching
The long view already matters in New Orleans, and one of the more intriguing pieces on the horizon is a first-round pick the Pelicans hold from Milwaukee for the 2027 NBA draft. It is the kind of asset that can quietly shape a franchises next move before most fans are even fully focused on it, especially for a team that has spent plenty of time weighing present-day roster needs against the value of future flexibility.
The early buzz around that draft class is part of what makes the pick worth tracking now, with Kansas forward Tyran Stokes, Arkansas guard Jordan Smith Jr. and Arizona guard Caleb Holt drawing attention as possible high-end targets. Each brings a different profile, and for the Pelicans the appeal is obvious: a chance to land a premium talent at a time when the roster picture could look very different than it does today. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Still Face One Contract Debate As Dejounte Murray Rebounds
Dejounte Murrays standing around the league has changed enough that the Pelicans can at least breathe easier about one of their pricier commitments. Murray was removed from a recent list of the NBAs worst contracts, a small but meaningful development for a New Orleans team trying to sort out its long-term salary picture while keeping enough on hand to compete now. He still has two years left on the deal, including a player option for next season, but the expectation is that hell be part of the rotation and provide real value this season.
Even with that bit of relief, the contract conversation in New Orleans is far from settled. The Pelicans are also focused on building around Jeremiah Favors as the future point guard, which puts a spotlight on how the roster is taking shape beyond Murray. Jordan Pooles expiring contract is another piece of the puzzle, and in some eyes it may end up looking like the teams toughest financial question if the season doesnt go the right way. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Quiet Offseason Puts Dumars And This Roster Under Pressure
Joe Dumars made it clear the Pelicans were active behind the scenes this offseason, saying the front office had plenty of trade conversations but never found a deal that truly improved the team enough to justify pulling the trigger. For a roster that has now gone through back-to-back seasons with fewer than 30 wins, the lack of movement stands out, especially with most of the core still in place and Jamahl Mosley arriving as the new head coach to try to steer a group that has not met expectations.
The bigger issue for New Orleans is what comes next. Dumars comments suggest patience for now, but they also leave the franchise in a familiar spot, stuck between wanting to compete and needing real change to get there. With the offseason largely quiet and the roster mostly intact, the Pelicans enter the year with a new coach, an experienced executive making the calls and an open question about whether the next decisive move is still coming. [Read more 🡒]