New Orleans Pelicans: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 25

Assessing How Much Better the Pelicans Can Really Be in 2026-27 Season

The New Orleans Pelicans can get better this season and still miss the playoffs. That's where we have to start before training camp optimism turns into playoff expectations.

NBA News / Hoops Rumors / September 24

Pelicans Sign Julian Reese To Two-Way Contract

The Pelicans have signed forward Julian Reese to a two-way contract, according to the official transaction log at NBA.com. As we noted earlier today when we recapped New Orleans’ offseason moves, the team had an open two-way slot alongside Jaron Pierre Jr.

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 23

Herb Jones Matters More to the Pelicans Than You Might Think

It's no secret the New Orleans Pelicans have been terrible the last two seasons. Now, they're retooling the organization and the roster while still trying to answer questions that should have been settled a while ago.

Kawhi Leonard News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA Playoff scoring record by team' quiz

How many of the players to rack up the most points in one playoff run for each NBA franchise can you name in five minutes?

The '2018-19 PPG leaders by team' quiz

The 'Last 30-point, 10-assist playoff games' quiz

The 'NBA 6th Man of the Year winners' quiz

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 23

Did the Pelicans Actually Improve After DeMarcus Cousins' Injury? Revisiting the Major What-If

Former Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins recently asserted the team didn't get better after he tore his Achilles during the 2017-18 season. It's an understandable position.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest NBA Finals performances of all-time

The regular season is important, but NBA legends are made in the playoffs. More specifically, it's the Finals where the all-time greats have built their otherworldly reputations.

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 22

What We Leaned From the Pelicans Offseason (and What Comes Next)

The New Orleans Pelicans head into the 2026-27 NBA season with far more questions than answers. After back-to-back sub-30-win seasons, many thought this would be the summer of change within the organization.

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 22

Pelicans Can Build One Complete Shooting Guard From Four Imperfect Options

The New Orleans Pelicans spent the summer adding talent to their backcourt, but they still don't have a shooting guard who checks every box. Herb Jones is an elite defender but a limited offensive creator.

Jordan Poole News / Fadeaway World / September 22

4 NBA Teams That Could Revive Jordan Poole’s Career

Entering 2026-27, there’s no denying that Jordan Poole is in a pretty strange spot, because only one year ago, it looked like his career had finally stabilized again.

Trey Murphy News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 22

Pelicans Can't Take Trey Murphy III for Granted as Franchise Changes Mount

The New Orleans Pelicans enter this season with questions throughout the roster. They need Zion Williamson to remain healthy and engaged. They need Dejounte Murray to return to form.

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 21

Pelicans' Point Guard Pecking Order Is Clear — For Now

The New Orleans Pelicans will enter training camp with only two players who naturally fit the "point guard" label. However, neither Dejounte Murray nor Jeremiah Fears is a traditional floor general.

Saddiq Bey News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 21

One Pelican Who Should Be Thrilled About the Saddiq Bey Contract Extension

The three-year extension to keep Saddiq Bey is a win for both him and the New Orleans Pelicans. Bey was a key contributor last season, averaging a career-high 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 best NBA players to never play in college

Typically, the path to the NBA for most players is to spend at least a season in college to get high-level basketball and important development under their belts.

Dejounte Murray News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 21

5 Biggest Things Dejounte Murray Must Show the Pelicans in 2025-26

Dejounte Murray's first two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans have been defined more by rehabilitation than production. A broken hand in his 2024 Pelicans debut cost him 17 games before a torn Achilles ended his first season after only 31 games.

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 20

Ranking Every Player Under 25 on the Pelicans' Roster

Youth is one of the things the New Orleans Pelicans have on their side. Heading into the 2026-2027 NBA season, the team has only one player over 30 (DeAndre Jordan).

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The 'Active NFL catch leaders' quiz

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The 'Most 300-yard, 3-TD NFL games' quiz

NBA News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 19

Why Jamahl Mosley Is Perfect Coach to Unlock Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson is about to embark on his eighth season in the NBA. Despite the meteoric expectations when the Pelicans drafted him in 2019, the two-time All-Star still faces more questions than answers about his career trajectory—most of them not about his talent, but his nightly availability.

NBA News / Hoops Wire / September 18

NBA Notes: Pelicans, Jordan Poole, Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton, Warriors

The Pelicans rewarded Saddiq Bey for his bounce-back season. Now comes the harder question: What do they do with Jordan Poole? Terry Kimble of NBA on SI argues that New Orleans should end the experiment after one season, and the basketball case is fairly straightforward.

Saddiq Bey News / Fadeaway World / September 18

Pelicans’ Saddiq Bey Signs 3-Year Extension: Bargain Or Overpay?

The New Orleans Pelicans agreed to a three-year, $55.5 million fully guaranteed extension with 27-year-old forward Saddiq Bey, keeping him under contract through the 2029-30 season.

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / September 18

Jordan Poole Trade Could Be Pelicans' Next Move After Bey Deal

The New Orleans Pelicans have extended Saddiq Bey, but questions remain in the aftermath. New Orleans still very much needs to figure out the right combination of pieces, and with one major player staying put, that opens the door for others to leave.

New Orleans Pelicans News / EssentiallySports / September 18

Pelicans Sign Defensive Stalwart to $55.5M Deal as Fears Mount Over Zion Williamson-Led Team

The New Orleans Pelicans largely remained quiet this offseason. The only significant commitment that they made was to Saddiq Bey, handing the SG a three-year, $55.5 million contract.

Saddiq Bey News / Hoops Wire / September 17

Pelicans, Saddiq Bey agree to three-year contract extension

Saddiq Bey’s comeback season has resulted in a significant commitment from the Pelicans. Bey agreed to a three-year, $55.5 million contract extension with New Orleans, his agents told Shams Charania of ESPN.