Five Pelicans Players With Something to Prove This Season

Derik Queen Must Keep Developing

Queen enters his second NBA season with a different type of pressure.

Unlike Williamson, Queen is not expected to immediately carry the Pelicans. Instead, he needs to show that he can become a key player for New Orleans to build around, especially alongside Zion Williamson.

Queen showed promise as a rookie; however, his offensive skill set also raises questions about how he fits alongside the Pelicans’ franchise cornerstone. 45.9% of Queen’s shots came in the restricted area, while another 32.7% came from the paint outside that zone. Only 11.2% of his attempts came from midrange.

Those numbers matter when considering how Queen could fit alongside Zion. Williamson creates pressure by attacking the basket, and Queen also takes most of his shots inside the arc. New Orleans has and could continue to face spacing challenges that make it harder for either player to thrive.

However, Queen’s passing ability gives the pairing potential. During his rookie season, he recorded a 21.1% assist percentage. That number highlights his ability to contribute as a playmaker from the frontcourt, giving the Pelicans another way to create scoring opportunities for Williamson and their teammates.

The Pelicans do not need Queen to become an All-Star this season. They need to determine whether his skill set can complement Williamson’s and whether the two can become a long-term frontcourt combination.

If Queen can expand his shooting range and become more dependable defensively, he could develop into a key piece of New Orleans’ future. If the spacing issues remain, the team may have to reconsider Queen as a long-term option and restructure around Zion for the future.

Herb Jones Needs Offensive Growth

Jones has already established himself as one of the Pelicans’ most respected defensive players.

Now, he needs to show that he can once again become one of the team’s most dependable two-way players.

Jones made a name for himself with his ability to guard multiple positions and defend some of the NBA’s best offensive players. His defensive versatility was on full display during the 2023-24 season, when he recorded 105 steals and 62 blocks in 76 games. He was one of only four players that season to record at least 100 steals and 60 blocks, earning him first-team All-Defense honors.

That combination of steals and blocks highlights what makes Jones valuable. He can disrupt passing lanes, challenge shots, and defend different types of offensive players without relying on one particular defensive skill. Maintaining that versatility will be important as New Orleans looks to become more competitive.

However, Jones’ offensive production remains an area for improvement. He averaged 8.9 points and shot 30.9% from three-point range in 56 games during the 2025-26 season.

Jones does not need to become a 20-point-per-game scorer. Instead, he needs to become a more reliable shooter and offensive contributor while maintaining the defensive impact that makes him valuable.

New Orleans has several players competing for roles on the wing, including Saddiq Bey and Bennedict Mathurin. If Jones can improve his shooting efficiency without sacrificing his defensive versatility, he could remain one of the most important pieces of the Pelicans’ roster.

Saddiq Bey Faces New Expectations

Bey enters the season in an interesting position because he has already shown that he can be an important offensive piece for New Orleans.

Now, he has to prove that he can do it consistently.

After missing the 2024-25 season with a torn ACL⁠, Bey returned to the Pelicans last season and produced the best scoring season of his career. He averaged 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while appearing in 72 games for New Orleans.

That production earned him a three-year, $55.5 million fully guaranteed extension⁠ with the Pelicans in September.

The new contract changes the conversation surrounding Bey.

He is no longer simply a player trying to prove he can return from a major injury. He is now a significant investment for the organization.

Bey will be expected to provide reliable scoring and shooting from the wing while also giving a young roster a veteran presence. With Mathurin joining the team and Jones continuing to play a major role, Bey will also have to establish himself as a player who deserves significant minutes.

His challenge is not necessarily to improve dramatically.

It is to prove that last season was not simply a comeback season.

It was the beginning of a new chapter.

If Bey can remain healthy and continue producing at a high level, his contract could become an important part of New Orleans’ attempt to build a competitive roster. If his production drops significantly, questions about how his role fits alongside the Pelicans’ younger players could follow.

Mathurin Must Be Reliable

Mathurin enters the 2026-27 season with an opportunity to establish himself as a dependable piece of the Pelicans’ future.

The New Orleans wing has already shown that he can score at a high level. Mathurin averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game during the 2025-26 season, setting career highs in all three categories.

However, his scoring ability is only part of what New Orleans needs from him. Mathurin shot 43.0% from the field and 31.5% from three last season. Improving his outside shooting could help him become a more effective offensive option, especially when sharing the floor with Zion Williamson and other players who need room to attack the basket.

Mathurin also needs to show that he can contribute beyond scoring. Averaging 2.4 assists per game last season, he has room to develop as a playmaker and help create opportunities for his teammates. Becoming more consistent with his decisions and finding ways to impact games when his shot is not falling would make him a more complete player.

New Orleans showed confidence in Mathurin by agreeing to a two-year, $16 million contract in August 2026. Now, he has to prove that his scoring production can translate into a successful role with his new team.

If Mathurin improves his shooting efficiency, keeps developing as a playmaker, and finds ways to fit alongside the Pelicans’ core, he could become an important part of the team’s future. This season, his challenge isn’t just to score points, but to show that his overall game can help New Orleans win.