The New Orleans Pelicans made a bold move this offseason by acquiring Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks, giving them a true playmaker in the backcourt. The Pelicans had been looking to upgrade their guard position, and Murray's ability to create offense and defend could be the missing piece they’ve needed. However, this roster still faces key challenges. While the core of Zion Williamson , CJ McCollum, and Murray is locked in, the future of Brandon Ingram remains uncertain as he enters the final year of his contract. With Ingram’s potential trade looming and depth concerns in the frontcourt, the Pelicans are far from a finished product.
New Orleans has shown flashes of greatness but has struggled with injuries and consistency. To become a legitimate contender, they will need more than just talent—they’ll need to make critical moves and develop chemistry. With a revamped backcourt and some key decisions ahead, the Pelicans could make a real push this season. Let’s dive into the five keys for them to finally be a true contender.
1. Keep Zion Williamson Healthy
Zion Williamson played 70 games last season, which was a big step forward for a player who has struggled with injuries throughout his young career. However, the Pelicans’ playoff hopes were dealt a huge blow when Zion went down with a hamstring injury during the play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a heartbreaking moment for the team and Zion himself, especially considering he was in the middle of a monster performance, dropping 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists before leaving the game with just over three minutes left. Despite Zion’s efforts, the Pelicans fell to the Lakers, ending their season without their star on the floor for the final moments.
What made this injury even more painful was how dominant Zion looked leading up to it. He was showing off his unique combination of power, skill, and athleticism that few players in the league can match. The Pelicans were counting on him to be their driving force, and his absence left a huge hole in their game plan. This injury not only impacted the play-in game but raised more concerns about Zion's ability to stay healthy for a full season.
For the Pelicans to finally break through as a true contender, Zion’s health is the number one key. When he’s on the floor, New Orleans is a completely different team, capable of going toe-to-toe with the best in the league. But without him, they lose their primary weapon. Zion has expressed a new level of motivation this season, vowing to come back with "vengeance" and prove he belongs among the game’s elite. If he can stay on the court, Zion is more than capable of leading this team to a deep playoff run. The question remains whether he can avoid those nagging injuries and be the dominant force the Pelicans need him to be.
2. Trust The Young Core Even More
The Pelicans have a treasure trove of young talent that’s ready to take the next step. Trey Murphy III, coming off a career-best season where he averaged 14.8 points per game in 2024, has emerged as a lethal shooter and floor-spacer. His ability to knock down threes at a high clip makes him a key piece next to Zion Williamson. Murphy’s continued growth could unlock even more offensive firepower for New Orleans.
Herb Jones, the team's defensive specialist, remains one of the best young defenders in the league. His defensive versatility allows him to guard multiple positions, making him a crucial piece in the Pelicans’ lineup. While Jones still needs to develop a more consistent offensive game, his impact on the defensive end is undeniable, and he's already one of the team’s most important players.
The Pelicans also added Jordan Hawkins in the 2023 NBA Draft. Known for his shooting, Hawkins could provide instant offense off the bench. His ability to stretch the floor fits perfectly with the Pelicans’ needs, as they continue to build a roster that maximizes Zion’s and Brandon Ingram’s talents. Investing in these young guys and giving them larger roles is key to creating depth and long-term success.
To become a true contender, the Pelicans need to trust their young core even more, allowing them to grow alongside the stars and provide much-needed depth as the team pushes for the playoffs.
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3. Solve Brandon Ingram’s Contract Situation
Brandon Ingram’s future with the Pelicans is one of the biggest question marks heading into the season. He’s entering the final year of his current contract, which will pay him $36 million, and is eligible for a four-year extension worth over $200 million. Ingram has been a key piece for New Orleans since he arrived, but rumors are swirling that the Pelicans might not be ready to commit to a max deal. Reportedly, Ingram is seeking somewhere between $45 to $50 million annually, which the team is hesitant to offer due to concerns about adding another massive contract to their books. With Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum already locked into long-term deals, the Pelicans are weighing their options before making a decision on Ingram.
This situation has some parallels to the 2019 Warriors, when the uncertainty around Kevin Durant’s contract created tension within the team. The Pelicans don’t want to let Ingram’s future hang over them and risk it becoming a distraction, especially as they look to become serious contenders. If Ingram feels uncertain about his future in New Orleans, it could affect team chemistry.
New Orleans has two main options: they could either extend him now, sending a clear message that Ingram is part of their core moving forward, or they could explore trade options before the deadline if they believe the two sides won’t come to an agreement. It’s a tough decision because Ingram is still a top scorer and a versatile playmaker, averaging 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season. He’s crucial to their success when healthy, but the financial strain of his desired extension complicates things.
The Pelicans need to find a solution soon, as dragging this situation out could lead to unnecessary distractions. Whether they decide to commit to Ingram or explore trade possibilities, the key is avoiding locker room drama and keeping the focus on contending in the Western Conference.
4. Find A Balance Between Dejounte Murray And CJ McCollum
One of the most interesting challenges for the Pelicans this season will be figuring out how to balance their two new backcourt leaders, Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum. Both players are highly skilled and bring different strengths to the table, but figuring out how they’ll coexist on the court is going to be key to the team’s success.
Dejounte Murray, who was acquired in a major offseason trade, is known for his defensive prowess and playmaking. He’s a dynamic guard who can score when needed, but his real value lies in his ability to disrupt opposing offenses and create opportunities for his teammates. Murray’s ability to guard multiple positions and facilitate makes him a natural fit for the Pelicans, especially since he can take some of the pressure off of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram in creating plays. He’ll likely be tasked with running the offense and pushing the pace while maintaining defensive intensity.
On the other hand, CJ McCollum is one of the league’s premier scorers and has been the Pelicans' leader in the backcourt since he arrived in 2022. McCollum is more of a traditional shooting guard who can take over games with his scoring. He’s been the primary offensive engine in key moments, and his leadership has been crucial for New Orleans. The challenge is figuring out how to let McCollum thrive offensively while allowing Murray to do what he does best—facilitate and defend.
The key will be striking a balance between allowing McCollum to continue being the go-to scorer when needed while trusting Murray to control the tempo and take charge of playmaking duties. The two guards have complementary skill sets, but their roles will need to be clearly defined to avoid stepping on each other’s toes. If the Pelicans can get the balance right between Murray’s defense and playmaking and McCollum’s scoring and leadership, they’ll have one of the most dangerous backcourts in the Western Conference.
5. Be Active On The Trade Deadline
The Pelicans often find themselves hovering around the 7th or 8th seed in the Western Conference, and while that’s enough to make the playoffs, it’s not where they want to be if they’re serious about contending. One way to change that narrative is by being aggressive at the trade deadline. A key midseason trade could be exactly what New Orleans needs to push them into the top tier of teams by the end of the regular season.
Historically, the Pelicans have struggled to maintain consistency due to injuries and depth issues. They’ve got the core pieces in place with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and the newly added Dejounte Murray, but their depth in key positions, especially at center or in the frontcourt, could be what holds them back. If the Pelicans find themselves in a similar position near the trade deadline, around 7th or 8th in the standings, pulling the trigger on a trade could be a game-changer.
Whether it’s finding more reliable big men to protect the rim and rebound or adding some extra firepower on the wings, a well-timed trade could help the Pelicans shore up weaknesses and give them the depth needed to push for a top seed in the West. Teams like the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns have made impactful moves during past trade deadlines, and the Pelicans could take a page out of their playbook.
If they want to make a deep playoff run, the Pelicans can’t afford to stay passive. An aggressive move at the deadline could make all the difference in elevating them from a fringe playoff team to a legitimate contender.
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