NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

The Pelicans went from a 49-33 playoff team in 2023-24 to back-to-back disappointing campaigns, posting a 21-61 record in 2024-25 and 26-56 in 2025-26. Brandon Ingram's February 2025 trade to Toronto ended the Zion-Ingram era and reshaped the roster around Williamson and newly acquired Dejounte Murray. Zion's persistent injury struggles have kept collector focus uncertain, while rookies Jeremiah Fears (7th pick, 2025) and Derik Queen continue to draw card interest as the franchise's youth movement. The coaching chaos—Willie Green fired after a 2-10 start in 2025-26, replaced by interim James Borrego, then Jamahl Mosley hired this summer—reflects the organizational turbulence that has collectors waiting to see which young pieces stick.

Where they stand: The 2025-26 season ended with a 26-56 record and an 11th-place Western Conference finish, missing the playoffs for the second straight year. With August 2026 offseason nearly complete, the Pelicans have made minimal moves beyond hiring head coach Jamahl Mosley and drafting Jaron Pierre Jr. in the second round, maintaining essentially the same roster that underperformed last season. The front office has resisted trade interest in Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones while exploring deals to move Jordan Hawkins for cap flexibility.