The Pelicans are in deep trouble they can’t fix

The New Orleans Pelicans entered the 2025-26 season with moderate hope. With Zion Williamson healthy, a young core emerging and a high-expectation draft class on the way, the franchise glowed with potential. That potential now feels fragile. After six straight losses (0-6) and a messy roster construction, the Pelicans may have a problem much deeper than bad luck.

Misfit roster, shaky trades and internal rifts

Roster design should first solve the biggest holes; in New Orleans, the holes keep getting ignored. Zion Williamson remains the focal point, but the supporting cast is riddled with mismatches. The acquisition of Jordan Poole brings over 20 points a night when hot, but he’s inconsistent (18.3 PPG), and his relationship with head coach Willie Green could grow tense coming off the bench.

Then there’s that trade mistake: New Orleans surrendered an unprotected 2026 first-round pick to move up and select Derik Queen (No. 13 overall) from Atlanta. Queen’s early pro numbers (7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game) reflect promise, but nothing close to enough return for forfeiting draft capital in a class that could be loaded. Queen is still raw, recovering from wrist surgery, and his defensive lapses are already a concern. The deal looks like a self-inflicted wound.

Meanwhile, the 0-6 start is more than bad luck. New Orleans is giving up big leads, looking broken in late-clock situations and failing to string together any semblance of identity. The franchise is now staring at a bleak 2026 draft outlook — without its own first, future flexibility evaporates. For a team supposed to be trending up, this free-fall feels inexorable.

Time is short for the Pelicans

The bright spot is Zion — he’s still averaging about 22.8 points and 6.8 rebounds when healthy, reminding us why he was drafted No. 1. But that alone can’t carry this roster. The Pelicans need role players who complement him: shooters who stretch the floor, defenders who guard multiple positions, and decision-makers who stabilize the second unit. Instead, the construction shows too many redundancies, too many dependent players and too many gambles.

Poole may finish 25-point nights, but can he defend wings? Can he commit when closing without forcing iso after iso? Queen—great upside, yes—but he’s unproven, and that wrist surgery delays his impact. And what of the alleged locker-room issues? Green is still building trust, but if your star guard isn’t buying in, how do you build unity?

The unprotected 2026 pick is the real dagger. In a class projected strongly, losing that asset when you’re not an established contender is reckless. If this season doesn’t turn, the Pelicans might lose real positioning for a reset. And a reset appears necessary.

Because at this moment, the roster fits less like a contender and more like a placeholder. The coaching staff is staring at a depth chart struggling to produce defensive stops, consistent offense or synergy. A 0-6 start won’t kill a season alone, but when combined with poor asset management and visible internal issues, the warning sirens are flashing red.

New Orleans has the wrong pieces for Zion’s moment, the wrong time to make a blockbuster pick trade, and now the wrong momentum. Yes, headwinds happen. But when you’ve painted yourself into a corner you can’t exit, the fix isn’t simple. The Pelicans look like a franchise that’s already out of options.