It is mid-January, and if you're a Pels fan, looking at the standings probably feels like staring directly into the sun. The New Orleans Pelicans are currently sitting at a dismal 10-34 record. That puts them dead last in the Western Conference. It's rough. Honestly, the vibe around the Smoothie King Center has shifted from playoff aspirations to "when is the lottery?"
You’ve probably seen the headlines about the coaching change, but the numbers tell the real story. After a brutal 2-10 start, the front office pulled the plug on Willie Green back in November. James Borrego took over the interim whistle, but even with a slight bump in energy, the new orleans pelicans stats remain some of the most concerning in the entire league. We aren't just talking about bad luck; we're talking about a statistical freefall.
The Zion Availability Problem (Again)
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Zion Williamson. When he is on the floor, he is a force of nature. He’s averaging 22.6 points on nearly 59% shooting. That’s elite. The problem is he has only suited up for 28 of the team's 44 games. A right hip adductor strain sidelined him for a massive chunk of the early season.
Critics like Sam Quinn of CBS Sports have started suggesting the team might even consider waiving or trading him because the "max salary vs. availability" math just isn't adding up. Zion has only played in about 52% of possible games since he entered the league. You can't build a house on a foundation that's only there half the time.
Interestingly, while Zion was out, the rookie Derik Queen started making some noise. Queen is a 6-9 center out of Maryland, and he’s been a bright spot. In January alone, he’s putting up nearly a double-double with 10.1 points and 9.9 rebounds. He’s basically become the "Zion insurance" policy that the Pelicans actually have to use every other week.
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Where the New Orleans Pelicans Stats Reveal the Rot
The defensive side of the ball is where things get truly ugly. The Pelicans are currently ranked 28th in the NBA in defensive rating, giving up 120.5 points per 100 possessions. That is "open gym" territory. Opponents are shooting 48.6% from the field against them.
Why the Defense is Leaking
- The Dejounte Murray Absence: Murray was supposed to be the point-of-attack defender they lacked. Instead, he suffered a devastating Achilles rupture and has been out for the season.
- Lack of Rim Protection: While Yves Missi has shown flashes, the team is 20th in blocked shots.
- Turnovers: They are 10th in the league in turnovers per game (13.6), which often leads to easy transition buckets for the other guys.
Offensively, things aren't much better. They are 24th in offensive rating. It’s a lot of "your turn, my turn" basketball. Jordan Poole, who they brought in to provide some spark, is shooting a career-low 37.7% from the field. He’s averaging 15 points, but it’s taking him a lot of shots to get there.
Trey Murphy III has basically been the only consistent professional on the wing. He’s averaging 22.2 points and shooting almost 39% from deep. Without his spacing, this offense would be completely claustrophobic.
The Brandon Ingram Trade Ripple Effect
A lot of people forget that Brandon Ingram isn't even here anymore. He was traded to the Toronto Raptors at the deadline last year, and seeing his stats there—21.8 points and 6 rebounds—just adds salt to the wound for New Orleans fans. The Pelicans tried to pivot to a Dejounte Murray-Zion-Ingram trio, but it never actually worked.
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The spacing was terrible. Murray and Ingram both love the mid-range. Zion needs the paint. It was a mathematical nightmare. Now, Murray is on the shelf with the Achilles injury, and Ingram is helping Toronto stay competitive in the East. New Orleans is left with a roster that feels like a collection of mismatched puzzle pieces.
A Look at the Rookie Impact
Jeremiah Fears has been a surprise. The kid is 19 years old and already playing 27 minutes a night. He’s averaging 14.2 points and 3.2 assists. Honestly, watching him and Derik Queen develop is pretty much the only reason to tune in right now. Fears has that "fearless" (pun intended) mentality that the veterans seem to be lacking lately.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Pels
Everyone wants to blame the coach or the training staff. But if you look at the new orleans pelicans stats more closely, the issue is roster construction. They have too many ball-dominant players and not enough shooters who can actually defend.
The team's Net Rating is -7.2. That is 26th in the league. For context, that means they are getting outscored by 7 points for every 100 possessions. You don't "luck" your way into a number that bad. It's a systemic failure. They rank 26th in three-point percentage (34.3%). In a league that is obsessed with the long ball, being that bad at shooting is a death sentence.
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Actionable Insights for the Trade Deadline
The Pelicans are at a crossroads. With the trade deadline approaching in February, Joe Dumars and the front office have some hard choices to make.
- Move the Veterans: Players like Jordan Poole or even CJ McCollum (if they can find a taker) need to be moved for draft assets.
- Lean into the Youth: Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen need 30+ minutes a night. Period.
- The Zion Decision: This is the big one. Do you keep trying to make it work, or do you see what the haul looks like for a "top 5 talent" who can't stay on the floor?
If they don't make a move soon, they are looking at a 15-win season. The stats don't lie. They are slow, they don't shoot well, and they can't stop anybody from scoring. It's a tough time to be a Pelicans fan, but the draft is coming, and at this rate, they'll have a very high seat at the table.
Focusing on the development of Fears and Queen is the only way forward. The era of the "Big Three" in New Orleans ended before it even started. Now it's about seeing which of these young pieces can actually stick for the next winning era in the Big Easy.