Media Day gives the New Orleans Pelicans their first real chance in months to hear from team leadership, and there’s no shortage of questions hanging over the room.
The biggest one starts with the young core. This offseason has revolved around the idea of “two timelines,” with the Pelicans trying to chase wins with their veterans while also bringing along their two 2025 first round picks, Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen.
Both rookies were thrown into the starting lineup early last season out of necessity, then spent much of the second half on the bench as the team tried to stack wins. Now they’re entering year two, and both are expected to begin this season coming off the bench.
That makes the development plan even more important: how will the Pelicans make sure Fears and Queen still get real chances to grow?
Another major issue is culture. Joe Dumars said after last season that the team “wasn't tough enough,” and that comment made plenty of people wonder whether the front office would attack the roster more aggressively.
Instead, the biggest change came on the sideline with Jamahl Mosley taking over. Mosley and his staff have a reputation for defensive work, but the question remains whether that alone can shift the Pelicans’ mindset.
Was last year’s problem more about culture, or more about talent? And how exactly does this group become tougher?
Then there’s Zion Willamson. Dumars set clear expectations for him heading into last year, calling for more buy-in in every phase.
By all accounts, Williamson delivered. He made a real leap as a leader and as a teammate, his health improved, and he started to play through more.
That progress matters, but it doesn’t close the book. The Pelicans are entering the penultimate year on his contract, so the next question is simple: what does Dumars want to see from Williamson this season?
In Other News...
Pelicans Camp Battle Could Reshape Their Bench Before Opening Night
The Pelicans head into training camp with only a small bit of real roster intrigue, but it is the kind that can matter once the season starts. With 13 spots largely spoken for and three two-way players already set, five players are effectively chasing the final two openings on the active roster: AJ Johnson, Trendon Watford, Kobe Bufkin, Caleb Houstan and Christian Koloko. Each brings a different background and a different case for why he could fit around a team trying to sharpen its depth before opening night.
What makes the competition worth watching is how varied the paths are. Some of the candidates arrive with more experience, some with more developmental upside, and some with contract questions that could shape how long they stay in the mix. For New Orleans, the decision is less about filling out camp bodies than finding the best blend of immediate help and future value, which means this battle could end up shaping the bench in a meaningful way. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Have Three Camp Hopefuls Fighting To Prove They Matter
The Pelicans have filled out their two-way group heading into training camp, and the attention now shifts to three hopefuls who will be trying to earn more than just a temporary look. Forward Julian Reese, guard Jaron Pierre Jr. and forward-center Malik Dia all arrive with different selling points, giving New Orleans a few distinct evaluation points as camp gets underway.
Reese will be watched for his defense and rebounding, Pierre for his offensive versatility, and Dia for the kind of floor spacing that can open up a frontcourt rotation. For a team still sorting through its depth chart, that makes this trio more than camp filler, especially because the early weeks will be about figuring out who can translate a specific skill into something the Pelicans can actually use. [Read more 🡒]
Dejounte Murray Could Be The Pelicans Change Fans Overlooked
Dejounte Murrays first season in New Orleans never really got a fair shake. A torn Achilles limited him to 14 games, but the Pelicans saw enough in those brief appearances to understand how much he can change the shape of their roster when hes available. Even while working back into form, Murray brought steadier creation, tougher point-of-attack defense and a more efficient scoring touch than the raw minutes total might suggest.
The bigger clue may have been what happened when he was on the floor. New Orleans was 8.2 points better per 100 possessions with Murray playing, a strong sign that his impact went well beyond the box score and the injury caution around him. If he can carry that kind of two-way influence into a healthier season, he may end up being the move that quietly reshapes how the Pelicans play. [Read more 🡒]