The New Orleans Pelicans are entering the 2024-25 season with a sense of urgency after a decent but ultimately disappointing 2023-24 campaign. The Pelicans finished the regular season strong but were swept by the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs, largely due to the absence of Zion Williamson, who got hurt during the play-in tournament.
Despite the setback, the Pelicans made a significant offseason move by acquiring Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks , adding another dynamic talent to their roster. Now, the Pelicans are focused on staying healthy and finally realizing their full potential as a playoff contender.
Here’s a breakdown of their projected starting lineup and key reserves for the 2024-25 season.
Point Guard (PG)
Starter: Dejounte Murray
Reserves: Jose Alvarado, Antonio Reeves, Jalen Crutcher
Dejounte Murray brings a fresh start to New Orleans after spending a season with the Atlanta Hawks. In Atlanta, Murray averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 34.5% from three-point range. While his fit with Trae Young never quite clicked, Murray now has an opportunity to lead a backcourt that complements his skills more effectively. His two-way play, including elite defense, will give the Pelicans an upgrade at point guard and help solidify their perimeter defense.
Jose Alvarado, the fan-favorite defensive specialist, returns as a solid backup point guard. Known for his tenacity, hustle, and ability to make big plays on defense, Alvarado’s presence will provide depth and energy off the bench. Antonio Reeves and Jalen Crutcher offer additional depth in the backcourt, with Reeves looking to make an impact after a strong showing in the preseason.
Shooting Guard (SG)
Starter: CJ McCollum
Reserves: Jordan Hawkins, Javonte Green, Adonis Arms
CJ McCollum remains a consistent and reliable scoring option for the Pelicans. Last season, McCollum averaged 20.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game while shooting 45.9% from the field and an impressive 42.9% from three-point range. With Dejounte Murray now in the fold as the primary ball handler, McCollum will have the freedom to play off the ball more and focus on his scoring and shooting. McCollum’s ability to space the floor and create his own shot will be crucial for the Pelicans’ offense.
Jordan Hawkins, the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, will provide additional shooting and scoring off the bench. Javonte Green and Adonis Arms will add depth at shooting guard, with Green in particular known for his defensive versatility and athleticism.
Small Forward (SF)
Starter: Brandon Ingram
Reserves: Herb Jones, Matt Ryan, Jamal Cain
Brandon Ingram had a somewhat underwhelming season by his standards, averaging 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 49.2% from the field and 35.5% from three-point range. Ingram struggled with injuries and inconsistency, which hurt the Pelicans, particularly in the playoffs.
Ingram is entering a critical phase of his career, as he seeks a contract extension. However, the Pelicans are reportedly hesitant to offer one at this point, leaving Ingram with something to prove. He will need to elevate his play if New Orleans is to make a deep playoff run.
Herb Jones, one of the league's best young defenders, will provide invaluable minutes off the bench. Known for his ability to guard multiple positions and disrupt offenses, Jones will be a key rotational piece for the Pelicans. Matt Ryan and Jamal Cain round out the small forward rotation, with Ryan providing shooting and Cain offering athleticism and energy.
Power Forward (PF)
Starter: Zion Williamson
Reserves: Trey Murphy, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Malcolm Hill, Keion Brooks
Zion Williamson played 70 games last season, the most of his career, and averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 57.0% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range. Zion was dominant down the stretch of the season, but his injury during the play-in tournament was a major blow to the Pelicans’ playoff hopes.
Now entering his sixth season, Zion has yet to play in a postseason game due to various injuries, and staying healthy remains the biggest question surrounding him. If Zion can remain on the court, the Pelicans are a completely different team and a legitimate playoff contender.
Trey Murphy III is a crucial piece of the Pelicans’ rotation and provides shooting and scoring off the bench. Murphy has steadily improved each year and is capable of stepping into the starting lineup when needed. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Malcolm Hill, and Keion Brooks will compete for minutes behind Zion and Murphy, adding depth to the power forward position.
Center (C)
Starter: Daniel Theis
Reserves: Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic, Trey Jemison
Daniel Theis, acquired after Jonas Valanciunas’ departure, steps into the starting center role for the Pelicans. Theis averaged 6.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists last season as a solid backup with the Clippers. Now, he has a chance to make the starting spot his own in New Orleans. Theis brings defensive versatility and a solid mid-range game, and while he isn’t a high-volume scorer, he can be a valuable role player for the Pelicans.
Yves Missi, an exciting young prospect, will compete for minutes behind Theis. Karlo Matkovic and Trey Jemison will also provide depth in the frontcourt, with Matkovic expected to take on a developmental role as he adjusts to the NBA.
The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the most talented rosters in the Western Conference, but their success will largely depend on two factors: health and chemistry. Zion Williamson’s ability to stay on the court will be the single most important aspect of the Pelicans’ season. When Zion is healthy, he is one of the most dominant players in the league, but injuries have limited his availability throughout his career. If he can play the majority of the season and enter the playoffs in good form, New Orleans will be a dangerous team.
The acquisition of Dejounte Murray brings a much-needed defensive presence and playmaking ability to the point guard position, allowing CJ McCollum to thrive as a secondary scorer. Brandon Ingram will need to elevate his play and stay healthy to help lead the team, while Herb Jones and Trey Murphy will continue to provide invaluable contributions on both ends of the floor.
The Pelicans have all the pieces to be a playoff contender, and if everything clicks, they could even challenge the top teams in the Western Conference. However, staying healthy and developing on-court chemistry with the new additions will be key to their success. If Zion, Ingram, and Murray can stay on the court together and the supporting cast plays up to its potential, the Pelicans could be in for a breakthrough season.
Here are all the projected lineups we've done so far:
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2024-25 Boston Celtics Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Brooklyn Nets Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Charlotte Hornets Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Chicago Bulls Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Cleveland Cavaliers Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Dallas Mavericks Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Denver Nuggets Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Detroit Pistons Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Golden State Warriors Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Houston Rockets Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Indiana Pacers Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Los Angeles Clippers Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Los Angeles Lakers Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Memphis Grizzlies Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Milwaukee Bucks Projected Starting Lineup
2024-25 Minnesota Timberwolves Projected Starting Lineup
Related: 5 Keys For The New Orleans Pelicans To Finally Become A True Contender
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