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0:33DeAndre Jordan Re-Signing With Pelicans
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9:40The Latest in the NBA
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0:47Are the Pelicans Going to Do Anything?
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1:57Report: Raptors Interested in Getting Kawhi Leonard Back
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1:45Latest on Jaylen Brown's Future with the Celtics
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1:47Pistons Best Possible Moves: Powell or Murphy?
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1:30Has Ja Morant Lost the Game of Point Guard Musical Chairs?
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1:14Could a First-Rounder Get Traded for Jaylen Brown?
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1:18Did the League Miss Its Window to Trade for Trey Murphy?
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1:52Top 5 Trade Destinations for Jaylen Brown: The Detroit Pistons
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1:11Mavericks Hire National Champion Coach Dusty May
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1:50Warriors' Potentially Shopping Trey Murphy III
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0:49Clippers Remain Without NBA Title in 56-Year History
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1:17Who Wants to Roll the Dice on Ja Morant?
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0:36Should the Mavericks Explore a Kyrie Irving Trade?
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0:44Breaking Down Zion Williamson's Trade Value
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1:15Heat and Celtics Emerge as Favorites for Giannis
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7:41Reports: Magic to Hire Sean Sweeney as Head Coach
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10:05NBA Passes New Anti-Tanking Rules
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8:15Sam Quinn's NBA Coaching Matchmaker
2026 NBA Draft Picks
| Rd | Pick | Selection | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 58 |
OVR RK: 63 • POS RK: 11 • HT: 6-5 • WT: 210
| B |
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Top Pelicans News
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Pelicans' AJ Johnson: Traded to New Orleans
Johnson was traded from the Grizzlies to the Pelicans on Tuesday along with Taj Gibson in exchange for Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Johnson is already headed to his fifth organization since being selected 23rd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. The 21-year-old has averaged 4.9 points across 77 career regular-season appearances and remains a developmental project despite his first-round pedigree. Johnson figures to compete for a depth role in New Orleans and is unlikely to have much fantasy relevance unless injuries open up additional playing time.
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Pelicans' Taj Gibson: Traded to New Orleans
Gibson was traded from the Grizzlies to the Pelicans on Tuesday along with AJ Johnson in exchange for Jordan Hawkins, Micah Peavy, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Gibson's stay in New Orleans could be brief. The trade saves the Pelicans $5.7 million in salary and helps clear the way for the team to finalize its two-year deal with Bennedict Mathurin. Gibson therefore shouldn't be considered part of the Pelicans' frontcourt plans at this stage.
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Pelicans' Yves Missi: Fares well for Cameroon
Missi recorded 24 points (9-13 FG, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, two steals and four blocks in 27 minutes during Cameroon's 78-62 win over Nigeria in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.
The 22-year-old is coming off his second NBA season and will enter training camp battling for minutes in a crowded New Orleans frontcourt that also features Derik Queen and Karlo Matkovic. Missi's rebounding, rim protection and athleticism give him a clear path to maintaining a significant role, but the presence of Queen and Matkovic could prevent any substantial increase in playing time. His limited offensive range also caps his fantasy ceiling.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Plays well for Croatia
Matkovic recorded 17 points (8-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), one assist and two turnovers in 17 minutes during Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.
The 25-year-old showed encouraging progress with New Orleans last season and enters 2026-27 as part of a crowded frontcourt that also includes Derik Queen and Yves Missi. Matkovic's ability to protect the rim while stretching the floor gives him a different skill set than the Pelicans' other young big men, but the competition for minutes could make his role volatile. He'll be a player to monitor during training camp, particularly if New Orleans shows a willingness to use him alongside one of its other centers.
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Pelicans' Saddiq Bey: Could be challenged for starting role
Bey tentatively projects as the Pelicans' starting small forward, but the addition of Bennedict Mathurin gives him a formidable threat for a starting job.
Mathurin was effectively a full-time starter for the Pacers before becoming the first man off the bench following his trade to the Clippers. Bey is coming off a career year, averaging a career-high 17.7 points per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field in his first season with New Orleans (72 regular-season games), so the camp battle between Bey and Mathurin for a spot in the first unit should be one to monitor this fall.
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Pelicans' Jordan Poole: Role uncertain this season
The Pelicans gave Poole another competitor for playing time with the signing of Bennedict Mathurin on Wednesday.
Poole was a massive disappointment from a fantasy perspective in 2025-26, averaging 13.4 points, 3.1 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game over 39 regular-season appearances while falling out of the rotation at times. He'll be battling with Jeremiah Fears for the backup point guard role behind Dejounte Murray at training camp, while the addition of Mathurin could make it difficult for Poole to see steady minutes at shooting guard off the bench.
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Pelicans' Jordan Hawkins: May not crack Opening Night rotation
Hawkins is likely to begin the season outside of the rotation after the Pelicans signed Bennedict Mathurin on Wednesday.
Hawkins was already hard-pressed for an Opening Night role, and Mathurin's presence further complicates matters for him. Hawkins appears to be behind Mathurin, Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole and perhaps even Micah Peavy when it comes to the reserves on New Orleans' initial depth chart.
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Pelicans' Jeremiah Fears: New addition coming
Fears is set to share the second unit with Bennedict Mathurin in 2026-27.
The Pelicans bolstered their bench with Wednesday's signing of Mathurin, who is expected to help lead New Orleans' second unit alongside Fears in the backcourt. Over 82 regular-season games in 2025-26, Fears averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 25.8 minutes per game.
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Pelicans' Bennedict Mathurin: Signs deal with Pelicans
Mathurin signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pelicans on Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The deal includes a player option for the second season. Mathurin was previously a restricted free agent, but the Pelicans approached the Clippers about withdrawing the qualifying offer prior to this deal. In New Orleans, Mathurin is expected to be a key part of the second unit behind Trey Murphy and Saddiq Bey.
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Pelicans' Malik Dia: Signing with Pelicans
The Pelicans are signing Dia to a two-way deal Tuesday, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
Dia is set to join Jaron Pierre as one of New Orleans' two-way players for the 2026-27 campaign. The Ole Miss product went undrafted earlier this year, and he'll likely spend most of his development time with the G League's Birmingham Squadron.
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Pelicans' Trendon Watford: Signs with Pelicans
Watford agreed to a one-year deal with the Pelicans on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The 76ers declined Watford's team option in June, but he's found a new home ahead of training camp. In New Orleans, Watford will likely provide some emergency depth in the frontcourt, and he may have a tough time carving out a consistent role.
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Pelicans' Jeremiah Fears: Coming off strong campaign
Fears enjoyed an outstanding rookie season, appearing in all 82 regular-season games while averaging 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
Fears capped the year by setting the franchise rookie scoring record with a 40-point performance and enters 2026-27 as one of New Orleans' most promising young guards. Even with Dejounte Murray expected back, Fears has positioned himself for a significant role in the Pelicans' backcourt rotation.
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Pelicans' Derik Queen: Could see bigger role
Queen impressed during his rookie campaign despite missing time early in the season due to a wrist injury, flashing the versatile offensive skills that made him a lottery pick.
Queen posted several standout performances, including the first 30-point triple-double by a rookie center in NBA history. Queen should compete for an even larger frontcourt role in 2026-27 as one of New Orleans' top young building blocks.
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Pelicans' Jordan Poole: Coming off inconsistent season
Poole provided New Orleans with an additional scoring threat initially during the 2025-26 campaign, but he would eventually fall out favor with the coaching staff.
Poole ended up making 39 regular-season appearances, shooting 37.2 percent from the field with 13.4 points, 3.1 assists and 2.0 rebounds. With Dejounte Murray (hand) expected to be back at full strength, Poole will face an uphill battle for playing time in 2026-27.
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Pelicans' Trey Murphy: Another big season ahead
Murphy (ankle) continued his emergence as one of New Orleans' top offensive weapons before injuries interrupted another strong campaign.
Murphy's combination of three-point shooting, athleticism and secondary shot creation should once again make him a featured option alongside Zion Williamson. Murphy has averaged at least 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal in back-to-back seasons, but he's made more than 66 regular-season appearances only once in his past five years.
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Pelicans' Dejounte Murray: Key player for 2026-27
Murray (hand) remains a cornerstone of New Orleans' backcourt despite missing the first half of last season due to a torn Achilles tendon.
Murray's playing time was monitored closely after his delayed 2025-26 debut, and he missed the final games of the regular season due to a bruised hand. Assuming he's fully healthy entering training camp, Murray should reclaim a starting role and provide veteran leadership alongside the Pelicans' young guards. His ability to contribute across the board as a scorer, facilitator and defender gives him a chance to bounce back in 2026-27.
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Pelicans' Yves Missi: Key reserve in 2025-26
Missi (hand) continued to play a meaningful role in New Orleans' frontcourt during his second NBA season, averaging 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 66 regular-season appearances.
The 22-year-old remains one of the Pelicans' top young interior defenders, and New Orleans has reportedly rebuffed trade interest from multiple teams this offseason, underscoring how highly the organization values him. Although he'll continue competing for frontcourt minutes alongside Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan, Missi should remain an important part of the center rotation entering 2026-27.
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Pelicans' Herbert Jones: To play similar role
Jones continues to provide New Orleans with elite perimeter defense and positional versatility, making him one of the NBA's premier role players.
While Jones' offensive responsibilities remain modest, his ability to contribute steals, blocks and efficient complementary production keeps him fantasy relevant. His role as the Pelicans' top defensive wing should remain unchanged heading into 2026-27.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Coming off productive season
Williamson (knee) bounced back with a productive campaign in 2025-26, reestablishing himself as the focal point of New Orleans' offense despite the team's 26-56 finish.
Williamson remains one of the league's most efficient interior scorers when healthy and should once again lead the Pelicans in usage entering 2026-27. With no major offseason additions threatening his role, Williamson is expected to remain the franchise centerpiece.
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Pelicans' Caleb Houstan: Agrees to deal with Pelicans
Houstan agreed to a one-year contract with New Orleans on Monday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com reports.
Houstan was drafted in the second round in the 2022 NBA Draft by Orlando, where he spent most of his career. He appeared in 168 regular-season games with the Magic, averaging 4.1 points and 1.5 rebounds while shooting 37.2 percent from deep across 14.4 minutes. Houstan played in Atlanta during the 2025-26 campaign, though he didn't last long, suiting up for only 18 regular-season contests. The 23-year-old will compete for the final roster spot, so his contract is presumably non-guaranteed. However, even if Houstan manages to earn a place on the roster, he will be on the bench more often than not, likely entering games when the Pelicans need a reliable three-point shooter.
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Team Statistical Rankings
| PTS/G | OPP PTS/G | |
|---|---|---|
| Team |
115.5 (16th) |
120.0 (24th) |
Injuries
| Player | Injury |
|---|---|
| B. McGowens SG Bryce McGowens SG | Toe |