The New Orleans Pelicans have hit rock bottom. Starting the season 0-6 was something I don't think any Pelicans fan expected to happen. Although the team had a tough schedule to start the 2025-26 season, Joe Dumars had promised that this group would be competitive, which hasn't been the case. From opening night against Memphis to Sunday against Oklahoma City, the team has progressively played worse and worse each game.
Even with Kevon Looney now back in the rotation and healthy, this team still can't put it together. I understand that the Thunder are the NBA champions for a reason, but losing by 31 points is just unacceptable for New Orleans, as they were trying to prove the experts wrong and make a playoff push this season. Change is necessary, and it needs to happen soon.
The 137-106 loss against OKC wraps up the Pelicans' 3-game road trip, and with the team now heading back to New Orleans, it's time for Joe Dumars to end Willie Green's tenure as head coach of this group. In five seasons, he has failed to establish a style or play, build a culture, and maintain stable rotations. Nightly, he's outcoached, and fans are sick of watching it.
This is worse then last season
Last season, the Pelicans entered the year with similar expectations as this one and ultimately finished with the fourth-worst record in the league. However, that team was ultimately dismantled by injuries and players struggling with personal issues off the court. New Orleans had to roster 20+ different players last season and barely saw any of their star players share the court with one another.
This season's team doesn't benefit from the same excuses, as they have been playing bad basketball and are showing no confidence on either end of the floor.
With Dejounte Murray set to return in early 2026, all this team needed to do was remain competitive enough to be an eleventh to ninth seed until the New Year, and then Murray could come back, and they could push for the playoffs. Now it doesn't even feel like it matters if Murray makes his return because this group has dug themselves into a massive hole just six games into the season.
The only good thing about the Pelicans being at rock bottom is that they can only go up from here. A coaching change, different rotations, and a new culture may not be enough to propel the team into the playoffs, but it could be enough to make this season one to build off of.