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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 31: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on December 31, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Bobby Goddin/Getty Images)
Despite being one of the worst teams in the NBA, the New Orleans Pelicans have a lot of players that other teams around the league envy. Teams have been keeping an eye on them to see what kind of deal could be made for some of their guys.
Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and Herbert Jones are the three guys other teams have been looking at. Those three guys all have different skill sets. Williamson is one of the most talented players in the league, but he can’t seem to stay healthy. Jones has been the same way for the last couple of years
Meanwhile, Murphy is having the best season of his career. Despite all of these players generating significant interest from other organizations, the Pelicans have made a decision on all of their futures.
GettyNew Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson dunks the ball. (Photo by Bobby Goddin/Getty Images)
The Pelicans Will Not Trade Their Key Players
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Pelicans have informed other teams that they will be keeping all three players. New Orleans will also be keeping Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears, which is not surprising. Those are two young guys they can build around.
Right now, the Pelicans sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. It’s surprising not to have them try to trade any of these players in order to accelerate a rebuild. Murphy is one of the hottest players that teams are looking at right now, so a return for him would be significant.
It’s unclear why the Pelicans have chosen to keep all five of these players. Keeping Queen and Fears is no surprise. Queen has been playing like a Rookie of the Year candidate. The Pelicans made a huge trade to get him, so he needs to be great.
GettyNew Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III dunks the ball. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
The Pelicans Won’t be Active at the Trade Deadline
With New Orleans sending this message, this signals that the Pelicans will not be active at the trade deadline. They certainly won’t be buyers with them so deep in a hole they can’t dig out of. Becoming sellers would have been the logical option, but it seems they will stand pat.
Murphy is in the first year of a four-year contract extension. Williamson’s contract is attractive to other teams because of the injury protection guarantees built in. Jones just signed a three-year extension in the offseason, so all three players are set for the next few years.
It’s unclear what Joe Dumars’ plan for this organization is. Perhaps he is hoping that the Pelicans can finally stay healthy next season and compete in the West. Dejounte Murray will be healthy from his Achilles injury next season, giving them a dynamic point guard again.
There is a chance that the Pelicans could decide to trade one or more of those players when the season ends. Other organizations will have to wait until then if they want to make a trade.