Adam Silver Shuts Down Relocation Talk - Now It’s Time for the Pelicans to Step Up
During All-Star Weekend, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addressed a range of hot-button topics - from tanking to league expansion - but one comment in particular stood out for fans down in New Orleans. When asked about the possibility of franchise relocation, Silver didn’t mince words: “Relocation of franchises is not on the table.”
That’s more than just a throwaway line. For the Pelicans, a team that’s often been the subject of relocation rumors (including from high-profile voices like Bill Simmons), Silver’s statement is a clear signal: the league is committed to keeping basketball in the Big Easy.
And that’s not just good news for New Orleans - it’s a win for small-market teams across the NBA. With expansion on the horizon, the league is making it clear that it’s looking to grow without uprooting its current franchises.
But while that reassurance offers some stability, it also raises the stakes for the Pelicans’ front office. The message is simple: the league has your back - now prove you deserve it.
The Clock Is Ticking on the Pelicans’ Direction
With relocation off the table, the Pelicans can no longer afford to tread water. It’s time to define a direction and stick to it.
For too long, the franchise has tried to split the difference between building for the future and trying to win now. That kind of hedging rarely works in the NBA, and it’s left the roster in a state of flux.
The team needs to decide: Are they building around the young trio of Trey Murphy III, Jeremiah Fears, and Derik Queen? Or is the core of Zion Williamson, Herb Jones, and Dejounte Murray still the foundation?
Each path has potential, but trying to do both at once risks doing neither well.
And with expansion likely coming sooner rather than later, that indecision could come back to bite them. If the NBA sticks with its traditional expansion draft format, teams will only be allowed to protect eight players.
Right now, it’s not even clear who those eight would be for New Orleans. Murphy III is a lock.
Fears and Queen would almost certainly be protected. You’d expect Zion, Herb Jones, and Saddiq Bey to make the cut too.
But after that? It gets murky fast.
Without a clear direction, the Pelicans could find themselves forced to expose valuable players - or worse, lose talent they’ve spent years developing.
A Vote of Confidence - And a Challenge
Silver’s statement is a vote of confidence in the Pelicans and in the city of New Orleans. But it’s also a challenge. The team now has the green light to build something lasting - and no excuse not to.
This is the moment for the front office to establish a long-term vision. Whether that means doubling down on their young core or retooling around their veterans, they need to commit, build, and develop a sustainable identity.
The league is saying, “You’re here to stay.” The Pelicans need to respond with, “And here’s how we’re going to thrive.”
Because keeping basketball in New Orleans isn’t just about geography - it’s about proving the city can support a competitive, well-run franchise for the long haul. The opportunity is there. Now it’s time to seize it.