All offseason, it feels like Joe Dumars, Troy Weaver, and the rest of the New Orleans Pelicans front office have been under fire for moves that most experts are calling mediocre or silly.
The main conversation surrounding the Pelicans this summer has been the Derik Queen draft night trade with the Atlanta Hawks. Fans and media members alike continue to harp on the fact that the Pelicans gave up an unprotected 2026 first-round pick.
The latest publication to hit the Pelicans with a harsh rating was The Athletic. In their article, 2025 NBA offseason grades: Rating each team’s summer moves, each team received a letter grade A- F for how they did this offseason. William Guillory gave the Pelicans a low D rating, the only team that was close to them was the Chicago Bulls, who received a D+.
The reasoning behind their rating is the same as it always is, Guillory said.
"The Pelicans’ stunning draft-day trade that sent their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks has been a consistent source of conversation for the last few weeks — and it’s not just because of the tremendous risk New Orleans is taking by accepting such a deal. Despite constant concerns over Zion Williamson’s health issues and an inexperienced roster, New Orleans’ front office expects the Pelicans to make a playoff run in a treacherous Western Conference. Even if you like the Pelicans’ rookie additions of Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, the recent news that Queen underwent wrist surgery and will be sidelined for three months adds to the long list of obstacles this team has to overcome."
Every publication continues to use the Derik Queen trade as a primary reason, along with an alleged lack of talent, to dismiss this group. But we all know there isn't a lack of talent as these writers and experts continue to ignore the additions of Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney. They also overlook the fact that if healthy last season, New Orleans would've been a real player in the Western Conference.
The media continues to give this group more of reason to show out next season
Guillory's opinion is nothing shocking and nothing new this offseason, as it feels like every media member has the exact same thoughts on this team. Now, I'm not specifically calling Guillory lazy, but I think the media has gotten extremely lazy when it comes to the Pelicans. It's not that writers or experts need to try to be different by saying this team is going to win 50-plus games, but why is no one looking at this group from a different angle?
Whether you think Weaver and Dumars are good leaders in the front office, one thing you can't deny is their experience. So, for people to continue to question everything they do, without taking a step back and looking at the reasoning behind these movies, is ridiculous. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I just cannot be bothered to right this group off before the season has even tipped off.
The media is in for a rude awakening as the Pelicans roster has undoubtedly been seeing the disrespect that continues to be dished out at them. This group was already coming in with a chip on their shoulder after a 21-win season back in 2024-25, and now, with the majority of the NBA writing them off, that chip has grown.