The New Orleans Pelicans have spent the last few seasons fighting a frontcourt problem that kept showing up in the numbers. Rebounding has lagged.
Block rate has been near the bottom. And too often, opponents have found easy looks at the rim.
Even the finishing has been uneven for Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Yves Missi, and Derik Queen.
Now there’s a growing belief inside the organization that 2026-27 could look very different.
That optimism starts with the big men themselves, and the early signs are already there. Yves Missi turned in a strong showing for Cameroon in 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying, putting up 24 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in a 78-62 win over Nigeria.
He hit nine of 13 shots and pulled down four offensive rebounds in 27 minutes. Karlo Matkovic was even more efficient for Croatia, scoring 17 points in just 17 minutes during a 115-80 win over Latvia.
He went a perfect 8-for-8 from the field and also knocked down a 3-pointer.
Those are the kinds of frontcourt outings the Pelicans want to see becoming routine once the season begins in October.
There are also reasons for confidence much closer to home. Zion Williamson’s offseason work with trainer Kris Chrisp has drawn positive reviews, and it has also helped quiet the unfounded trade chatter that had been floating around.
Trey Murphy III has added 20 pounds of muscle and said he wants to make the All-Star team while averaging 30 points per game. Herb Jones is healthy again after injury setbacks and is in position to chase another run at NBA All-Defense recognition.
Saddiq Bey adds another layer. After coming back from an ACL tear that wiped out his entire 2024-25 season, he posted 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 45.1%.
The 27-year-old established himself as an important piece last season, when he also set career highs. If that level holds, he could be in line for a potential four-year, $60 million deal.
The Pelicans are also expecting more from Derik Queen in his second season. Trendon Watford gives them steady bench rebounding and a chance to compete for minutes. Christian Koloko comes into training camp with a defined opportunity and a real path to a roster spot.
Put it all together and New Orleans sees a young, deep frontcourt that is still growing into its prime. The team believes internal development, better injury luck, a full offseason together and the kind of chip-on-the-shoulder edge several players have talked about can push those frontcourt numbers in the right direction.
There’s not much room for another soft year on the glass. If the group looks lazy on the boards again, someone would get traded if the frontcourt is viewed as a liability under Jamahl Mosley. But for now, the Pelicans have enough pieces in place to believe this part of the roster is ready to take a real step forward.
In Other News...
Mathurins Arrival Puts One Pelicans Wing In A Tough Spot
Bennedict Mathurins arrival gives the Pelicans another young wing with real upside, but it also forces a roster conversation that was easy to avoid before the signing. New Orleans did not bring him in on a flier, either, with a two-year, $16 million deal that signals real intention. The challenge now is fitting him into a wing rotation that already has players who need minutes, touches and a clear path.
Saddiq Bey is the name that stands out as the cleanest trade candidate, even after a career year and a team-friendly contract. New Orleans could look elsewhere, from waiving Jordan Poole to exploring a Jordan Hawkins deal, but moving Bey makes the most sense if the goal is both making room for Mathurin and adding draft capital. The question is whether the Pelicans will act on that logic quickly, or let the logjam linger a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Are Still Betting On One Risky Offseason Strategy
The Pelicans offseason has been more about continuity than overhaul, with the front office keeping most of the roster intact and placing a significant bet on a new coaching staff to unlock better results. There is reason for some optimism in the additions of Bennedict Mathurin and Trendon Watford, both of whom bring offensive potential, but the larger picture still points to a group that looks a lot like last seasons team.
New Orleans still has the same questions hanging over it, especially from beyond the arc, around the rim and in the harder-to-quantify areas of toughness and physicality. For this approach to pay off, the Pelicans will need more than just incremental growth from individual players, because the roster moves on their own do not fully solve the problems that have kept this team from taking the next step. [Read more 🡒]
Clippers Just Made A Bennedict Mathurin Move Fans Need To See
The Clippers have taken a notable step in the Bennedict Mathurin sweepstakes by withdrawing the qualifying offer, which pushes him into unrestricted free agency and clears the path for New Orleans to move quickly. Mathurin has already agreed to a two-year contract with the Pelicans, giving the team another young piece to work with as it continues shaping the roster around its next phase.
New Orleans still has some housekeeping left before the season begins, though, because the standard contract limit means another roster move will be required to get everything into place. For a team trying to balance flexibility with upside, the Mathurin addition is the kind of swing that can matter, but the final ripple effects will depend on what comes next. [Read more 🡒]