The New Orleans Pelicans wrapped up their final home game before the trade deadline with a 114-106 win over the Memphis Grizzlies-a much-needed boost in a season that’s been anything but smooth. But even with the victory, the writing is on the wall: change is coming.
At 13-37 and without any draft picks in hand, the Pelicans are in a position where standing pat just doesn’t make sense. Executive VP of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars, along with GM Troy Weaver, is expected to be active ahead of Thursday’s deadline. And if Friday night was the last home game for a few familiar faces, it wouldn’t be a shock to anyone in the locker room.
“This is a business at the end of the day,” guard Jose Alvarado said last week. “You never know.
You might get a call.” That’s the mindset of a player who knows how quickly rosters can shift this time of year.
Alvarado, who has a $4.5 million player option left on his deal after this season, has been swirling in trade rumors-and for good reason. He’s the kind of gritty, energy-first player that playoff teams love to add at the deadline.
If Friday was his farewell, he made it count. Alvarado lit up the third quarter with three triples, helping the Pelicans dominate the frame 35-15 and take control of the game. Interim head coach James Borrego summed it up perfectly: “Jose did what Jose does.”
But while Alvarado was making noise on the court, two of his teammates were once again spectators. Jordan Poole and Jordan Hawkins logged their third straight DNPs, and Borrego pointed to a shift in lineup strategy as the reason.
“I felt like this group gives us a chance out there to get after it defensively,” Borrego said, referring to the new starting five of Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Sadiq Bey, and rookie Derik Queen. That group is 3-1 since the change and has brought a noticeable uptick in defensive intensity and physicality.
The message is clear: the Pelicans are leaning into length, effort, and defense-and Poole and Hawkins haven’t fit into that mold lately. Poole’s contract (he’s owed $34 million after this season) makes him a tough piece to move, especially given his inconsistent play.
Hawkins, on the other hand, might be more movable. After a promising rookie campaign where he averaged 10.8 points, his scoring has dipped to 4.3 per game, and his 3-point percentage has fallen to just 30.1%.
Considering long-range shooting was supposed to be his calling card, that regression has likely raised some red flags.
Then there’s Dejounte Murray. Saturday marks one year since he tore his Achilles against the Celtics, and he’s been rehabbing away from the team since.
Borrego was cautious when asked earlier this month if Murray might return this season: “That would be the goal, but I can’t say for sure.” With Murray being the third-highest paid player on the roster, moving him would require a team willing to gamble on a talented guard still on the mend.
Another name to watch is Kevon Looney. The veteran big man has appeared in just 17 games since arriving from Golden State, but his championship pedigree and ability to anchor a second unit could make him appealing to a contender in need of frontcourt depth and leadership.
Yves Missi is also drawing interest. The second-year center started 67 games last season and earned All-Rookie second team honors, but this year has been a different story-just seven starts so far.
That said, he’s shown signs of turning a corner recently. “He’s playing at an elite level,” Borrego said.
“His motor. His energy.
He just looks like a grownup out there impacting in a major way.” If a team is willing to part with a first-round pick, Missi could be on the move.
Anything less might not be enough to pry him away.
As for who’s staying? Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, rookies Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, and Micah Peavy are all considered core pieces.
And Sadiq Bey might be inching into that group as well. He’s been one of the team’s most consistent performers this season, and Weaver-who drafted him back in Detroit-likely still believes in his upside.
Dumars hasn’t spoken publicly since firing head coach Willie Green in November, but Borrego says their internal conversations have been clear and constructive.
“We are very clear about where we’re at and what we are looking to do,” Borrego said. “There’s honesty in our conversations.
There’s transparency. Are there things we could get better at?
Yeah. Joe and I are very aware of that.
But the goal is to stay together, be transparent about where we’re at, and stay focused on the goal-which is to compete and build an identity.”
With the trade deadline looming, the Pelicans are at a crossroads. The next few days could shape not just the rest of this season, but the future of the franchise. Whether it’s a minor tweak or a major shakeup, one thing’s for sure: the team that returns to the Smoothie King Center might not look exactly like the one that walked off the court Friday night.