The New Orleans Pelicans were effectively eliminated from the 2025 NBA playoffs just a few weeks into the season, but they've still got a lot to learn from this year's postseason festivities. The team has been extremely busy reloading their front office.
Since the offseason began for them a little over two weeks ago, they've made a flurry of backend moves. The Pelicans fired former Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin and replaced him with Joe Dumars. Then, Dumars hired a new number two in Troy Weaver, who shares a Detroit Pistons connection with the new Pelicans' head executive. Weaver is coming on to take WNBA legend Swin Cash's former post. Several other members of Griffin's staff are also expected to be relieved of their duties for New Orleans, including Gar Forman and Mike D'Antoni.
While Dumars is working to round out his front office, he needs to keep a close eye on the playoffs, though. There's a lot to be learned from how these teams are battling — what works, what doesn't, what the hottest commodity in the league is, etc. One thing that's quickly being made clear in this postseason is that the Pelicans might be a lot closer to a contending roster than their 2024-25 record would suggest.
The Pelicans could have a rotation with no weak links next season
New Orleans is potentially looking at a complete roster overhaul this summer. If they land the number one pick and, with it, Cooper Flagg, they could seriously consider resetting around him and allowing Joe Dumars to build a new roster from scratch. That could be a major mistake, though.
These playoffs have repeatedly proven one thing about the new-age NBA: depth matters more than top-end talent. The Indiana Pacers just eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks in a gentleman's sweep, despite Giannis Antetokounmpo being far and away the best player in the series. The Los Angeles Lakers might have Luka Doncic and LeBron James now, but the Minnesota Timberwolves are one away from sending them on summer vacation.
The top contenders for the title this postseason are the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers. All of those squads only have one undeniable superstar, but they're all capable of fielding multiple lineups without a glaring weak link. That is what's most important in today's NBA.
The Pelicans may have gone just 21-61 this past season, but they're no ordinary bottom-feeder team. If they stand pat this summer, they're set to return a roster consisting of Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, Yves Missi, Herb Jones, Kelly Olynyk, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, Brandon Boston Jr., and Elfrid Payton. They'll also likely be adding a top-tier rookie to that group. Aside from another center with some bulk, there's not much missing for New Orleans, and they have the positional versatility to deploy several lineups without a glaring weak link.
Of course, none of this matters if they can't stay healthy. But this team at full strength should be able to compete with any matchup in the league in a playoff setting. They just have to get there intact first.