Despite their atrocious record, the New Orleans Pelicans will actually come out of the 2024-25 NBA season with quite a few things worth celebrating. First and foremost, all of the losses they racked up throughout the year could pay off big time by way of the lottery. If they wind up nabbing a top-tier draft pick and, subsequently, an elite prospect, it'll give this wayward campaign meaning and true reward.
That's not all, though. The Pelicans may finish with over 60 Ls for just the second time in franchise history, but it wasn't all bad on the court all year. Trey Murphy III was by far the most notable development for New Orleans this season, stepping up into a legitimate second star behind Zion Williamson. Not only did he make several leaps in his statistical production, but his growth was glaring when watching him play. His progression as an on-ball scorer was unmistakable and will be the main driver behind his shift from a role player into a star.
New Orleans was able to nurture a perfect second banana for Zion, while Big Z himself also made strides in his game. He may have only played 30 total games and dealt with multiple injuries this past season, but he's not the same injury-prone player that he was in the early years of his career. He slimmed down significantly last summer and maintained his improved playing shape throughout the season. His renewed conditioning and improved agility were palpable, and his production reflected the work he put into his body.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl sets a new NBA-worst record
Between the new and improved Zion, Trey Murphy III's ascension, and a potentially franchise-changing incoming lottery pick, the Pelicans have a lot to be excited about moving forward, even if their record this season suggests otherwise. Still, in a campaign as pitiful as the one New Orleans just had, there are bound to be plenty of lowlights. For example, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl just set an NBA record that neither he nor the Pelicans will be celebrating.
In the last few weeks of the NBA regular season, it becomes extremely clear which teams are still competing and which ones are actively trying to lose games. The Pelicans were obviously in the latter group, and they ran into a squad that still needed a win in the Miami Heat. That disparity in aspirations showed in the box score, as New Orleans was obliterated, 153-104.
When a team loses by nearly 50, it's only natural that every player involved would come away with a truly horrendous stat line they'd rather forget. Unfortunately for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, he caught the worst of it. On the night, he actually put up some decent numbers, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds, and two assists on 6-12 shooting. It wasn't enough, though, as the Pelicans would lose his minutes by 58, giving him the worst single-game +/- in NBA history. His -58 tied the Portland Trail Blazers' Scoot Henderson, who logged the same +/- last season — coincidentally, also against the Heat.
JRE actually used to hold the second-worst mark in league history, when he finished a -56 for the Oklahoma City Thunder back in December 2021 against the Memphis Grizzlies. The poor guy has actually had a pretty decent season for the Pelicans this year, all things considered. Hopefully, he'll take this in jest and use it as motivation moving forward.