Copyright Baton Rouge Advocate
The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history. Many people, especially the national media, are predicting another gloomy outcome in the team’s first season under the direction of executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars. The oddsmakers in Vegas have the over/under on wins at 31.5. We surveyed 17 local media members who cover the Pelicans regularly to get their predictions for the season. The outlook from that poll is a bit more optimistic, with the win total averaging out to be 39 wins. Here is what we think: Madeline Adams, WVUE-TV: The Western Conference continues to get stronger each year, and I think it'll take at least 50 wins to earn a spot in the playoffs this season. I think the Pelicans get there, IF (and that's a big if) they can stay healthier this season. Two years ago, they won 49 regular-season games, and I think this team is capable of getting back to that kind of success and back to the playoffs. Record: 50-32 Shamit Dua, In the N.O.: The Pelicans face multiple hurdles on the road to success. Health issues aside, the Pelicans are challenged with a poor and shallow roster construction that makes competing in the Western Conference a tall task. Willie Green and his staff will have to decide how much to rely on young rookies or if the pressure to produce wins will see the younger players out of the rotation. Nevertheless, Zion Williamson is in the best shape of his career heading into the season and should give the Pelicans a chance to win on any given night. Record: 32-50 Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune: I wish I could be more optimistic, but the Western Conference is stacked and I’m not sure the Pelicans did enough in the offseason to make up ground on their rivals. Joe Dumars and Willie Green appear to be leaning into an up-tempo, offensive system, but I’m not sure they have the firepower to pull it off. The season might fall on the broad shoulders of Zion, who will need to stay healthy and focused for this team to challenge the Western Conference elite. Record: 41-41 Les East, Crescent City Sports and The Times-Picayune: Pelicans predictions must include “if they’re healthy” and the team starts with Dejounte Murray, Kevon Looney and Derik Queen unhealthy. But adding Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey, Jeremiah Fears, Looney and Queen to Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy and Yves Missi makes this a playoff team after the play-in. If. Record: 42-40 Megan Glover, WGNO: I believe the Pelicans can be a play-in team — at max — and of course, considering the disastrous last season, it would be a huge step in the right direction. With the disciplined leadership of Joe Dumars, the added championship experience of Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney (barring a quick return) and the chemistry of the team, they could — and should — be a new and improved Pelicans team. Record:42-40 Will Guillory, The Athletic: As much as I believe in Zion Williamson's physical transformation and some of the complementary pieces around him, this team does not have the depth to withstand the injury issues that have crushed them in the past. Is there a possibility everything goes the Pelicans' way and we finally get to see 70+ games of Williamson, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones together? Sure. And if that happens, New Orleans will be competitive. It's just too difficult to look past this team's history and assume good luck will be on its side this time. The West is just too tough and there are too many question marks once you get past the starting five. Record: 36-46 Sharief Ishaq, WDSU-TV: I think they’ll FINALLY have good health. I know, I know we’ve all said that before, but I feel good about this team. Zion Williamson is healthy, happy and ready to lead, while Trey Murphy is ready to make that big leap. I truly think the additions of Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney will be crucial. The Western Conference is tough but I think they will compete for a 6-8 seed. Record: 46-36 Oleh Kosel, credentialed Pelicans writer: Look, it largely boils down to health with No. 1 around. The Pelicans are 69-60 when Zion Williamson stepped onto the floor during the Willie Green era. So this is clearly a bet he'll play in more games than he misses this upcoming season. Play-in tournament, but no playoffs. Record: 40-42 Jared Paul Joseph, WGNO-TV: Skinny Zion leaves room for mid-season weight fluctuation if (and maybe even when) injuries happen. The team has a lot of new pieces, which will need time to adapt to one another, but I think, barring a major health catastrophe like last season, this team should be playoff-bound. Record: 48-34 Ricardo Lecompte, WWL-TV: My win total can swing 10 games in either direction based on Zion Williamson's availability. If he plays in a majority of games this season, the Pels will be in the play-in tournament, battling for a playoff spot. If he misses a significant number of games this season, the Pels will suffer through another tough year. I'll split the difference and say this team improves on last year's 21-win total but misses out on the playoffs. It helps having a healthy Herb Jones and Trey Murphy, but I still worry about this team's ability to rebound. Plus, the Western Conference is loaded, and it will be tough sledding for New Orleans. Final record: 31-51 Seth Lewis, WWL TV: Zion Williamson’s health will always be the wildcard, but when he’s on the court, his impact affects winning. I also think Trey Murphy will make an all-star type leap this year. The Pelicans will make the play-in and it depends on their draw from there. Final record: 43-39 Fletcher Mackel, WDSU-TV: The Pelicans finally get a healthy, first-team all-NBA season from Zion Williamson, lifting them to the second-most wins in franchise history. Trey Murphy wins "Most Improved Player" award and Herb Jones and Jordan Poole produce big seasons helping New Orleans secure the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Final record: 52-30 Jake Madison, Locked on Pels: This version of Zion Williamson looks very real and that will take the Pelicans pretty far. But questions remain around the center rotation, and the West is stacked. The Pelicans will be competitive but on the bubble for a playoff spot. They get in through the play-in tournament yet again. Record: 43-39 Rashad Milligan, The Times-Picayune: If both Trey Murphy and Zion Williamson play more than 66 games, the Pelicans will go 43-39 this season. If either Murphy or Williamson play fewer than 50 games this season, the Pelicans will go 30-52 this season, still a 9-win improvement from last season because of added depth. Record: 35-47 Dylan Sanders, Locked on Network: There is much more talent on this Pelicans squad than they are getting credit for around the league. When healthy, they should be a play-in team at worst. That's a big if, but it's unfair to assume an injury will happen. The big three of Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy and Jordan Poole can win games. Record: 44-38 Jon Sokoloff, WGNO-TV: It's all about health. I'll go in with a glass-half-full approach. I'll say Zion plays at least 55 games, and the team stays relatively healthy. I predict they will earn the No. 7 seed and win the play-in game. I'm most excited about the potential of the Zion/Jordan Poole two-man game. Record: 47-35 Rod Walker, Times-Picayune: Call me gullible, but I believe this is the year that we get the version of Zion that everyone thought the Pels were getting when they drafted him. I even see him making one of the All-NBA teams. And if he’s that good, it means the Pelicans are good, too. Willie Green shows that the 2023-24 season when the team won 49 games was no fluke. The Western Conference is tough, but I see the Pels as the sixth or seventh seed when all is said and done. Record: 45-37
