Due to the ridiculous amount of injuries they've had to endure in this 2024-25 season, the New Orleans Pelicans have featured a revolving door of fringe NBA players all year. They've had 21 different players log over 100 total minutes for them this season. That number could hit 22 soon if Mo Bamba gets any more run before the end of the campaign.
For comparison, the New York Knicks have only had 13 players hit over 100 minutes this season — shoutout to overtime enthusiast Tom Thibodeau. New Orleans has seen quite a few players come and go this year. Some have had more lasting impacts than others. Brandon Boston Jr. went from a 10-day guy to a two-way prospect to earning a standard contract with his impressive play filling in for their shorthanded roster. Others like Keion Brooks Jr. and Jaylen Nowell failed to leave a lasting impression during their opportunities.
One player who's suited up for the Pelicans multiple times in the past is set to return to New Orleans soon. Elfrid Payton just signed another 10-day contract with the team amid their latest flurry of injuries. Before getting this newest deal, he appeared in seven games for the Pels earlier this season, including three starts, and averaged 6.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in 20.6 minutes per outing. New Orleans could very well need some added guard depth for next year and beyond, so this next stint with the Pelicans could prove to be instrumental for Elfrid Payton's NBA career.
The New Orleans Pelicans continue to be ravaged by injuries
Like many seasons before, this New Orleans Pelicans campaign has been defined by its injuries, although this year's absences could end up having much more influential ramifications down the line. While injuries are always unfortunate, the team has seen a few silver linings stemming from them.
As mentioned earlier, the Pels were able to find a diamond in the rough in Brandon Boston Jr. due to all of their early season injuries. He's since proved to be a legitimate NBA rotation player. He could end up playing a key role in this franchise's future.
More directly though, all of the injuries that New Orleans has suffered through this season forced them out of NBA purgatory and into an unwilling tank, one that could result in a top draft pick and a prospect that could completely shift the fortunes of the organization.
Still, just because all of the injuries might wind up having some pretty positive effects in the long run, doesn't mean they've been anything to celebrate. After he had a breakout season amid all of the Pelicans' absences, Trey Murphy III went down with a devastating shoulder tear that could cost him the majority of his offseason. After finally getting a good healthy stretch from Zion Williamson — one that saw him putting up career numbers despite limited minutes meant to prevent him from getting hurt again — he caught his first injury tag in a while, as he'll be out against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a lower back bruise. Hopefully, this new ailment isn't anything serious and is more of a precautionary/tanking measure.