NBA Cup schedule provides New Orleans with early season playoff atmosphere

The NBA's inaugural season of the 'NBA Cup' was a success after receiving heavy criticism before the season from fans across the world. Creating an in-season tournament incentivized teams to take regular season play seriously, and reward players with a hefty amount of money for winning the ordeal. Thanks to the NBA Cup becoming widely loved, it appears here to stay and is back for its second season! With a new name and more intrigue, the NBA Cup schedule has been released.

For a quick recap, teams are split into groups of five, with three groups in each conference. From there, teams will play their NBA Cup games every Tuesday and Friday starting November 12. The winner of each group will move on past the 'group stage', with two wildcards (one from each conference) also advancing. Once the semifinals are determined, those teams will meet in Las Vegas to eventually crown an in-season tournament champion.

Before the Group Play draw, each team was placed into a “pot” based on its record from the prior regular season (2023-24). In each conference, one team from each pot was randomly selected into each of the three groups in that conference. Pot one consists of the teams with the three best prior-season records in a conference, while pot two had the teams with the fourth- through sixth-best prior-season records in a conference. This process continued through to pot five. But that's not all!

Players on teams that reach the quarterfinals and beyond will receive additional financial compensation for the in-season tournament. Last year, it was $500,000 for each player on the championship team, $200,000 for players on the runner-up team, $100,000 for players on losing semifinals teams, and $50,000 for each player on a team that lost in the quarterfinals. Additionally, a tournament MVP and all-tournament honors are awarded.

New Orleans "Group Play' stage appears to be a murderer's row

The Pelicans were placed into West Group C, consisting of teams in the last two finals. Additionally, the 'less dynastic' Golden State Warriors will be in Group C, as well as the Memphis Grizzlies, a team striving for a better season after being decimated by injuries last season.

West Group C features the Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and New Orleans. While the brutal looks of this group hinder New Orleans' chances of winning the in-season tournament, it does provide them with an opportunity to do something far more critical to their team's success.

The NBA Cup serves as a 'precursor' for the Pelicans hopeful playoff run

New Orleans, if healthy, can be one of the best teams in the Western Conference. Just a few seasons ago, the Pelicans were viewed as one of the best young cores in the league, with the future only trending up for the team. Thanks to injuries, roster turnover, and management changes, that has happened for New Orleans. However, trading for Dejounte Murray this offseason ushers in new life and a breath of fresh air for an organization that was feeling stagnant of late.

With clear intentions of competing at the highest level in the postseason, the NBA Cup could serve as an opportunity for New Orleans to play meaningful, playoff caliber opponents in playoff atmospheres, but in the regular season. If New Orleans is healthy, the NBA Cup becomes a legitimate barometer to see where the team stacks up amongst the Western Conference's best.

The overall draw for the NBA Cup may be disappointing for Pels' fans, but all is not lost. A healthy Pelicans team is a sight the league has not seen in the Zion Williamson era of New Orleans basketball. However, this could be the year the Pelicans breakthrough and assert themselves among the league's best teams.