Heading into the 2025-26 season, I feel really good about the Pelicans' depth at the five, which is something I haven't said since Steven Adams was the starting five man during the 2020-21 season.
The addition of Kevon Looney, in my opinion, may go down as one of the most underrated moves of this entire offseason. Looney's going to bring a level of experience and championship excellence that the Pelicans have been lacking in almost the franchise's entire history.
Outside of the 3-time NBA champion, the Pelicans have two young bigs in Derik Queen and Yves Missi.
I absolutely love Derik Queen as a prospect. There's a negative connotation around him because New Orleans gave up a highly coveted 2026 first-round pick for him. However, his unreal potential as a playmaker at the five is only going to help unlock more of Zion Williamson's game; he also gives the Pelicans offense another playmaking weapon.
As far as Missi goes, after his poor summer league production, I'm not as high on him as I once was. However, having him as the third big man option off the bench has a ton of value.
Even though the Pelicans have a highly talented group of bigs on their roster heading into this season, one thing they don't have is a floor spacing five-man. However, with Nikola Vučević potentially being bought out by Chicago, the Pelicans could finally get their floor spacing big.
Fulfilling the prophecy
It feels like, since the day Zion entered the NBA as the most hyped prospect since LeBron James, the media came up with the idea that to get the most out of him, you needed all the spacing you could get. With maximum floor spacing, Zion could bring up the ball and run the offense while still leaving the paint wide open for him.
This prophecy of getting Zion a floor spacing can now come true if the Bulls decide to buy out Vučević. It feels like Chicago should have traded him 3 years ago, and now that they're allegedly finally looking to move on, although no team wants to give up assets for him.
If Vuc were to be bought out, New Orleans would make so much sense for him, as despite their depth at the five, his name and resume alone would make him the starter. Last season in 73 games, he averaged 18.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 40% from three. Many expected regression last season from Vuc, but that wasn't the case as he nearly made his 3rd All-Star appearance.
Joe Dumars is a smart man and a great basketball mind, so I have no doubt in my mind that if Vuc does indeed get bought out, the Pelicans will do everything they can to get Zion a floor spacer.