Zion Williamson
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Zion Williamson made it clear he doesn't want his doubters to support him when the Pelicans succeed in the 2025-26 campaign
If the NBA Draft Lottery were today, the New Orleans Pelicans and Indiana Pacers would have the second and fourth-best odds to land the top pick. Just a few months ago, the Pelicans owned both of those selections.
In June, the Pacers traded Mojave King and their 2026 pick to the Pelicans in exchange for their 2025 pick back. King is currently playing in Australia, and the Pacers have won only a single game.
On draft night in 2025, the Pelicans sent their 2026 selection and Asa Newell to the Atlanta Hawks for Derick Queen. The Pelicans only play Queen 17 minutes per night, and that 2026 pick they gave up is one of the most valuable assets in the league.
The Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets are the only winless teams. Unlike the Nets, the Pelicans have no future to brag about.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson dribbles past San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs at Smoothie King Center on October 24, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans Are ‘On Repeat’
New Orleans has boasted a basketball team since 2002. The Pelicans/Hornets have won only two playoff series and finished with a winning record only a third of the time.
They also regularly boast some of the worst attendance records in the league. Despite drafting Zion Williamson first overall in 2019, injuries and poor roster decisions have held the franchise back.
“They’ve invested a lot of money into Jordan Poole,” began Chandler Parsons on FanDuel’s Run It Back. “It’s just a collection of players that don’t work.They’re not going to win with this roster. They’re not going to win in this conference. It feels like it’s on repeat.Ever since that initial great start, like two years ago, it’s just been all downhill since then. They’ve been plagued with injuries. But they’re just not a good team.”
Without their first-round draft pick in a loaded 2026 class, the Pelicans will either have to rely on free agency or flounder for yet another season.
Forget that New Orleans has never been a premier free agency destination. Even if it was, New Orleans already owes five players over $10 million next season and has a total of $195.9 million on the books for 2026-27.
Fans (if they still exist) shouldn’t hold their breath for the future.
New Orleans Pelicans Have Talent, No Future
Williamson, when healthy, is an elite player. However, he’s proven time and time again that he can’t be relied on.
Poole and Kevon Looney are both champions. Dejounte Murray is an All-Star, and Herbert Jones is one of the better defenders in the NBA. Trey Murphy III has broken out as one of the league’s better scorers.
And yet, the pieces have never come together.
“I think they put together a good team,” countered DeMarcus Cousins. “It’s just not clicking right now. I don’t know why that is.I think they have plenty of talent.”
New Orleans has never been able to get the most out of their players. They’ve had stars like Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, Brandon Ingram, and Tyson Chandler. The team has never had any success, no matter who runs the ship.
In a desperate effort, the Pelicans mortgaged their future for their current roster, one of the worst in the entire league. At this point, it’s hard to argue against relocation.
At least they could start over.