Pelicans Check-In Part 2: Non-Negotiables and Remedies for Success.

Progression, injury prevention, coaching rejection, style and complexion. Pels hopium?

Non-negotiables (what has to go right)

I presented the pessimistic viewpoint in part one; I think a part of the poor light that’s shed on this team is more reflective of the West than the actual roster. It’s vital that I critique the team’s potential shortcomings because their primary competition leaves such slim margin for error. Even so, they could turn a corner even in the face of more sound teams.

Zion’s durability concerns have already been covered, the need for Williamson to grace the team with his on-court presence is a given.

Since Joe Dumars decided to push all-in with a shaky hand... What are the other non-negotiables must occur — besides a healthy-Zion — that will yield Dumars dragging chips back into the Pelicans low-stack?

Zion and Trey Murphy Tandem

I’ve rang the Trey Murphy bell many times, but it’s important to discuss what the Pelicans need from him this upcoming season. Along with Herb Jones, Murphy was a highly coveted trade asset for many contending teams. Considered by many to be one of the top high-end role players in this league — and if his development ended today, he would go on to have a memorable, quality career. A great outcome and easily a vital piece to any championship team — good news for New Orleans, his ascension as a player is just taking off.

In a world where Zion Williamson plays 65+ games, (the same world where I’m 6’4 and can windmill dunk) — the Pelicans desperately need Trey to be a legitimate second-option threat, pretty much inching close to the line of being a top 30 player. T

This is what Brandon Ingram was, a former all-star paired with New Orlean’s desired cornerstone in Zion. But the basketball fit wasn’t right, BI can’t shoot the three, he’s far too ball dominant, and requires isolation to create offensive output.

Trey Murphy is a seamless hoops fit next to Zion. Trey has displayed effective off-ball skills such as cutting and relocation as a shooter which makes him a perfect kick-out candidate to Z barreling downhill to the cup. Additionally, a pick and roll between the two poses as an offensive threat, with Murphy on a screen and pop while Williamson demands attention as a slasher. You could invert it too — Murphy on the ball displaying his new ability to initiate offense and Zion ready for a lob or even a dish on the short roll.

Murphy’s advancement from a luxury role-player, into a borderline all-star and true #2 is what the Pelicans have to have, if the Dumar’s “all-in” strategy is going to work. I’m a Murphy believer; I think this leap is in the cards for the 2026 season.

Briefly, here’s what Trey Murphy needs to do to reach that level:

• Continue to grow in creating space via more ball-handling progression.

• Increase vision and feel as a P&R ball-handler, specifically getting downhill and improving as a passer.

• Strengthen finishing ability, especially playing through contact.

• Engage defensively, display two-way effort. (Trey’s on-ball defense is there, it’s the defensive intangibles like effort and IQ he lacks at times).

• Pray Willie Green is fired OR decides to actually create chances for him with actions that favor Trey’s skill progression.

If you put yourself through Pels basketball, you know that Trey exhibited all these things and without much real help around him. The Tey Murphy propaganda on this page is real, and I’d go as far to say that he could be for New Orleans what Haliburton is for Indy — I’m not predicting a Finals run, but the sky is the limit for Murphy.

Pace Pace Pace

This team can find an identity, I mentioned in part one the lack of defensive prowess. Because of this flaw, you need to be able to score in bunches, Evan Miya has coined it as a team’s “kill-shot” ability. While this geared towards College Hoops, this Pelicans team needs to find their NBA version of this. Creating leads by transforming misses and makes into transition buckets — leading to explosive scoring runs. Playing with extreme pace will complement the roster’s athleticism and offensive skillset — players like Poole, Zion, Murphy all thrive in the open floor, even Yves Missi is a floor-running type of five.

The Pacers were able to thrive in this kind of system, and while their roster favors that style more — even the lite-version of this engine will suffice. It’s hard to see who will drive it, due to the lack of a point-guard — it could, however, be accomplished by committee with Point-Zion, Jordan Poole welcoming more of a facilitator role, and Trey Murphy bearing some of the load as well. By then, maybe Dejounte Murray’s return will bode well in terms of driving this type of machine (if he’s not dumped in a trade by the training camp or the deadline).

Natural development

Kevon Looney, the front office’s latest addition (via free agency) is the team’s oldest player, and he’s been in the league longer than any of his new teammates. He’s 29 years old. Meaning this team is now one the youngest in the league. Considering all the youthful teams that have exceeded expectations, natural development from the young core is essential and isn’t out of the question. Some examples of this that we’ve seen lately:

• Rockets: Sengun made the all-star team and nearly all-league, Amen was first team all-defense, Tari Eason was a menace, Jabari was formidable in his return.

• Pistons: Cade Cunningham made the all-star team and was MIP, Ausar Thompson improved on both ends of the floor, Jalen Duren was a monster in the postseason.

I already discussed what Trey Murphy can improve, here’s what the rest of the team can do to expand/improve:

• Zion: (Keep a straight face challenge, level: impossible) Conditioning.

• Yves Missi: Offensive touch at the rim and rebounding.

• Herb Jones: Reliable perimeter shooting.

• Jordan Poole: Reign in the chucking and (if at all possible) gear your skills more toward being a passer.

• Jordan Hawkins: I’ve never had less confidence in a jump shot for a player who’s only job is to know down jumpers. It’s pretty simple, be an actual shooter!

• Rookies: Some form of contribution and a positive impact on winning? For Fear’s, that’s minimizing turnovers and slight proficient in the P&R. For Queen it’s imposing his playmaking/creation on opposing defenses and being conditioned.

Coaching

The entirety of the Pelicans fanbase despises Willie Green. The reasons are fair and as far as fan-takes, they’re mostly accurate. A stat that gets tossed around often when discussing Green’s defects revolves around his lack of in-game adjustments. It was something along the line of 18 blown leads when up double digits or more — and this was in their 49-win season. Not only does Green lack in adjustments, but with player support as well. Shamit Dua, who writes “In the N.O” touched on this and other glaring issues in April shortly after Dumar’s was brought on. The dysfunction of the organization is embodied by its coaching woes — ownership clinging onto their money and a loyal relationship despite apparent shortcomings.

There is some hope in James Borrego. Mike Brown, the new Knicks HC hire, desired to bring Borrego on as one of his top assistants. A front office can deny any coach a lateral move, and in this case the Pels did. Meaning they could be holding onto Borrego as the replacement for when they ultimately fire Willie Green. Borrego is a Popovich disciple; he thrives in player development and though his head coaching record is poor, Borrego understands the offensive side of the ball much better than Green.

Borrego would fare far better in this role, and this New Orleans roster desperately needs a fresh face and voice in the locker room. James Borrego can create advantageous opportunities for Zion and Trey Murphy with his tactics; moreover, he’d likely garner far more respect which translates to team buy-in and high effort in their play.

Regardless of it being Borrego, Willie Green, or an outside hire — you could say that everything I’ve stated above this, hinges on the right coach enabling it to happen.

Strong start and handling your business

As repeatedly stated, New Orleans faces a plethora of obstacles. The outlook of this New Orleans basketball would look far different if they resided in a weaker, Eastern conference. Instead, they belong to a litter of bigger and stronger dogs in the West, even worse — they’re one of the last pups to the bowl.

If the Pelicans are halfway through the season, (so around 40 games), and their record isn’t .500 or close to it — safe to say a late season push is unlikely. Maybe they’ll be a winner at the deadline, though Joe Dumar’s trades haven’t quite inspired much confidence. However, it feels like the teams that the Pels could be trailing leading up to the trade deadline will be inclined to make improvements — with better assets to do so. Perhaps a mid-season coaching change could swing their season like Denver did late in the year, but even that may not be enough given the circumstances.

I say all this to advocate (and plead) for a strong start out the gate of an 82-game race — you have to get off the blocks early because the deeper into the season we get, the more likely it is that the Pelicans face the familiar, injury.

Part of that strong start will have to come through handling Eastern conference opponents. Dropping games to lesser opponents who aren’t fighting to make the playoffs is crucial. It’s an obvious point to make yet it cannot be understated. If the West is a powerhouse, scrap to breakeven. If the East is frail in comparison, be the bully. Their season will require consistency. They can seldom afford to play up to higher caliber teams and days later play down to weaker ones. They may project like the runt of the litter would, maybe an underdog mentality is something the Pelicans adopt.

There are many uncertainties for next season and that goes for any team that isn’t named OKC and Denver. Amidst the uncertainties, I can make a guarantee. The 2026 Pelicans basketball this will be an exciting league-pass team with highlights galore, and it’ll only take a few electrifying nights for the Smoothie King Center to be almost completely filled — they’ll be worth watching.

In part one I laid out all that stands in this organization’s way — it’s real and concerning. In spite of this, talent, youth, and established players are representing the Crescent City. It’s not all bad, with some hopium and a bit of luck, a 40–45-win season is not out of the realm of possibilities.

The path through is certainly narrow, but maybe, just maybe, the Pelicans can find a way to fly through it.