The energy around the Smoothie King Center these days is... weird. You walk in, and there’s this palpable tension between the highlights you see on social media and the actual reality of the Western Conference standings. Honestly, if you only watched Zion Williamson’s individual tape from the last few weeks, you’d think the New Orleans Pelicans were world-beaters. He’s been putting up 30-point games like it’s 2021 again. But then you glance at the 10-33 record. It’s a total disconnect.
New Orleans basketball has always felt like a high-wire act, but right now, the wire is fraying. The team is sitting near the bottom of the league, and the fanbase is basically split into two camps: those who want to blow the whole thing up and those who are terrified that the front office already traded away the future just to stay mediocre.
The Zion Williamson Dilemma: Elite Talent vs. Availability
Let’s get real about Zion. When he’s on the floor, he is a top-five talent. Period. We just saw him go for 35 against Portland and 31 against Chicago. He looks fresh. He looks springy. He’s even hitting 76% of his free throws, which is a massive wrinkle for a guy who lives at the rim.
But the math is brutal.
Zion has played in just about 52% of his possible career games since being drafted. This season, a hamstring strain and a grade 2 adductor strain cost him a huge chunk of November and December. While he’s currently on a 15-game streak of being healthy—his longest in a while—the Pelicans are just 5-18 in games he’s actually played this year. That is a terrifying stat. It suggests that even when the superstar is super-starring, the infrastructure around him is broken.
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There’s been some loud chatter from insiders like Sam Quinn at CBS Sports, suggesting the Pelicans might actually consider waiving him because of the "toxic salary" and lack of availability. It sounds insane to waive a talent like that, but it shows how desperate the situation has become. However, the latest word from the front office is that Zion remains "untouchable" heading into the February 5 trade deadline.
The Front Office Gamble: Joe Dumars and the Derik Queen Trade
If you want to know why Pelicans fans are so stressed, look at the 2026 NBA Draft. Or rather, look at the fact that New Orleans doesn't really control their own pick in it.
The new regime, led by Joe Dumars (who took over after David Griffin was moved out), made a massive bet last summer. They traded control of their 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta just to move up and grab Derik Queen in the 2025 draft.
Queen has actually been good. He’s a 21-year-old big man who can pass. He’s averaging 12.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. But here’s the kicker: the Pelicans are so bad right now that their 2026 pick—the one Atlanta now owns—could easily be a top-three selection. Imagine giving up a chance at a generational prospect just to move up ten spots for a solid rookie. It’s the kind of move that gets GMs fired, and it's why people are calling this season a "disaster."
The "Untouchables" and the Trade Block
According to recent reports from Chris Haynes, the Pelicans have a list of five players they refuse to move:
- Zion Williamson (The face of the franchise, for better or worse)
- Trey Murphy III (A 25-year-old elite shooter who just put up 34 points against the Nets)
- Herb Jones (The defensive heart, currently dealing with a nagging ankle injury)
- Jeremiah Fears (The rookie guard who has been a legitimate bright spot)
- Derik Queen (The guy they mortgaged the 2026 draft for)
Keeping five guys "untouchable" when you have one of the worst records in the NBA is... bold. Some might call it delusional. It means if a trade happens, it’s going to involve guys like Jordan Hawkins or Yves Missi.
Hawkins is a fascinating case. He’s a pure shooter who hasn't found his rhythm this year, hitting only about 30% from deep. A change of scenery—maybe to a team like the Lakers or Magic that desperately needs spacing—could save his career. Then there's Yves Missi. He was great as a rookie, but his minutes have plummeted because the team is trying so hard to make the Derik Queen/Zion pairing work.
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Why the Defense Fell Apart
It’s not just about the injuries. The Pelicans' net rating has been among the worst in the league. Interim head coach James Borrego has been blunt about it. He recently pointed out that while losing Herb Jones to injury hurts, it doesn't excuse giving up 130 points a night.
The roster construction is lopsided. You’ve got Jordan Poole (acquired via trade) and Jordan Hawkins who want to score, but there isn't enough defensive "glue" to hold things together when Herb Jones is on the bench. The team looks lost on rotations. It’s a group of talented individuals that hasn't figured out how to be a cohesive unit.
What Really Happens Next?
The Pelicans are in a corner. They can't tank effectively because they don't own their 2026 pick. They aren't winning because of injuries and chemistry issues. Basically, they're stuck.
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The most realistic path forward involves a "soft" reset. They likely won't trade Zion before the deadline—it's too complicated. But expect them to move smaller pieces to recoup some draft capital. If you're a fan, you're looking for Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen to continue their development. Fears has shown real guts as a scorer, and Queen’s playmaking is legit.
Practical Steps for the Rest of the Season:
- Monitor the Trade Deadline (Feb 5): Watch for movement on Jordan Hawkins or Yves Missi. If they are traded for future second-rounders or a protected first, it’s a sign the front office is trying to fix the 2026 pick mess.
- Watch the Zion/Queen Minutes: The future of the frontcourt depends on whether these two can coexist. If the spacing is too cramped, the Pelicans will eventually have to choose one over the other.
- The Herb Jones Return: The defense is a sieve without him. When he returns from his ankle injury, check if the Pelicans can at least become a "tough out" rather than a blowout victim.
- Draft Positioning: Since Atlanta owns the better of the Pelicans/Bucks 2026 pick, New Orleans fans should actually be rooting for the Bucks to be worse than the Pelicans. It’s a weird, sad way to watch a season, but that’s the reality of the current "Pick Swap" nightmare.
The New Orleans Pelicans aren't a lost cause, but they are a cautionary tale. Talent is great, but in the NBA, availability and asset management are the real kings. For now, it’s about surviving the season without doing even more damage to the future.