The 2025–26 season has been a disaster for the New Orleans Pelicans, as the team sits at 13–37 through 50 games. While much of the roster has underperformed during a season that has gone off the rails, no player’s situation feels more uncertain than Jordan Poole’s.
Poole arrived in New Orleans as the front office’s biggest offseason addition, with high expectations following a career year in Washington. But things just haven't panned out that way, and with Poole receiving his third straight DNP Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, it appears his tenure as a Pelican could be over after just 28 games.
Pelicans beat reporter for The Athletic, Will Guillory, reported that Poole’s removal from the rotation comes as the front office is trying to dangle him in trade talks.
Production That Hasn’t Matched the Role
Through his 28 games in New Orleans this season, Poole has averaged 14.5 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game while shooting 37.0 percent from the field and 33.6 percent from three. Those numbers fall well short of what was expected from a player projected to open the season as the team’s starting point guard.
To Poole’s credit, his year was disrupted early. An injury eight games into the season sidelined him for 17 consecutive contests, making it difficult to establish rhythm or continuity. However, the Pelicans are 25 games removed from that, and there have been zero signs of Poole even getting close to finding a consistent offensive rhythm.
His incredibly inefficient shooting numbers are mixed with defensive limitations, making it impossible for the coaching staff to justify giving him extended minutes. When those on-court struggles get paired with a removal from the rotation less than a week out from the trade deadline, it paints a clear picture as to where the front office stands on his future.
The picture gets even more clouded when you look at his contract. With an additional year on his contract at $30+ million next season, the Pelicans may even have to attach a sweetener in the form of draft picks or young talent to get off his contract.
For some fans, that reality may complicate trading Poole. But given the direction of Poole’s season and the Pelicans’ broader trajectory, it may be the only viable path forward.
With the February 5th trade deadline knocking at the door, it would not be surprising if Jordan Poole isn’t wearing Pelicans colors the next time we see him play.