The New Orleans Pelicans are shaking things up - and not just around the margins. Interim head coach James Borrego rolled out a brand-new starting five on the team’s recent three-game road trip, and the early returns? Promising, if not perfect.
The lineup featured Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey, and rookie big man Derik Queen. That group went 2-1 on the trip, picking up wins over the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder. It's a small sample size, but the message is clear: Borrego is prioritizing length, defense, and physicality - and he’s willing to make some bold calls to get there.
One of the most notable ripple effects of the new rotation has been the benching of Jordan Poole. The high-scoring guard, who came to New Orleans in the CJ McCollum trade this past offseason, didn’t see the floor in either of the last two games.
And this wasn’t about injury - Poole is healthy. These were coach’s decisions, marking the first time this season Poole has been a healthy DNP.
That’s a major development considering Poole is the team’s second-highest-paid player, earning $31.8 million this season - trailing only Zion Williamson’s $39.4 million. It’s a significant investment, and one that now finds itself on the outside of the rotation as the Pelicans inch closer to the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
Borrego addressed the decision after practice on Thursday, and his explanation was straightforward.
“Just the lineup,” Borrego said. “I felt like this group gives us a chance out there to get after it defensively. I think we are just going to lean into a little bit of size right now and physicality and defense.”
Translation: the Pelicans are doubling down on grit. With this new-look starting five, Borrego is clearly aiming to establish a tougher defensive identity - something that’s been elusive for a team sitting at 12-37. That record alone tells you why changes were needed.
Poole has appeared in 28 games this season, averaging 14.5 points and 3.1 assists, but his efficiency has been a concern. He’s shooting just 37% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc - numbers that don’t exactly scream “must-play,” especially on a team trying to find its defensive footing.
Still, Borrego made it clear that Poole isn’t out of the picture entirely.
“Obviously, Poole will stay ready and he’ll be ready to go,” Borrego said. “(He was) back at it today in practice and so we expect him to stay ready.
You never know when your number is going to get called. Everybody who has stepped in for us this year has made an impact.
I expect him to do the same.”
It’s a classic “stay ready so you don’t have to get ready” situation. And in a season where roles have shifted constantly due to injuries and experimentation, Poole could still find himself back in the mix - especially if the Pelicans make moves at the deadline.
He’s not the only one affected by the rotation shuffle. Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears, who had been starting, has moved to the bench, and Jordan Hawkins - another promising young guard - also didn’t play in the last two games. The reasoning, according to Borrego, was the same: prioritizing size and defense.
The Pelicans return home Friday to face the Memphis Grizzlies at the Smoothie King Center. It’s their final home game before the trade deadline, and you can bet front offices around the league will be watching closely. With the rotation in flux and the deadline looming, New Orleans feels like a team on the verge of something - whether that’s a turnaround or a roster shake-up remains to be seen.
But one thing’s for sure: Borrego isn’t afraid to make bold moves. And right now, he's betting on length, toughness, and a defensive edge to change the Pelicans’ trajectory.