Why Jamahl Mosley's Pelicans rebuild could be more challenging than Magic turnaround

Jamahl Mosley can turn around a franchise but faces long rebuild with Pelicans

Since the 2018-19 season, the Pelicans have made two playoff appearances and haven't advanced past the first round. Willie Green, whom Mosley is replacing, led the team to those trips but failed to remain competitive during his five-year tenure, going 150-190 in the regular season. 

The Pelicans fired Green in November 2025 after a 2-10 start, replacing him with interim coach James Borrego, who didn't do much better. The Pelicans went 24-46 in their last 70 games. 

Like many NBA cellar dwellers, the Pelicans' problems stem from a flawed roster. Forward Zion Williamson, who has two years remaining on his contract, is their marquee star, and his injury history is well-documented. The 2019 No. 1 pick has battled knee, foot and hamstring issues throughout his career; as a result, he has never played more than 70 games.

This past season, Williamson played 62 games, but his numbers weren't those of an elite talent capable of propelling a team back into championship contention. He averaged career lows in points (21 per game) and rebounds (5.7 per game) and shot 25 percent from three. 

The 2026 NBA Draft is deep, but the Pelicans don't own a first-round pick, which they could use to find a replacement for Williamson. New Orleans holds pick No. 58 in the second round. Tankathon has the Western Conference squad selecting Northwestern Wildcats senior forward Nick Martinelli (6-foot-7, 224 pounds), who averaged 23.3 PPG last season.

The Pelicans traded pick No. 8 in the 2026 draft and draft rights to the 23rd pick in 2025 (forward Asa Newell) to the Atlanta Hawks for center Derik Queen during the 2025 draft. Luckily for New Orleans, he showed promise this past season, logging 11.7 PPG on 47.3 percent shooting from the field. 

Mosley could turn another franchise into a postseason regular, but he's entering a multiyear rebuild with the Pelicans. New Orleans already making a long-term commitment gives the coach a long rope.