One of the biggest question marks surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason is what the front office has planned for Jordan Poole’s future. After a career-low season filled with DNPs, injuries, and missed shots, many, myself included, felt this offseason would end Poole’s time in the Big Easy after one season. But after a conversation with some members of the Pelicans fan base, my thoughts on Poole’s future in New Orleans has flipped.
Early into the offseason, I was throwing out the idea of trading Poole along with the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round pick to get a better win-now piece. While I still think that’s an interesting and realistic possibility, I now also feel that keeping Poole through the summer and into next season could be very beneficial. The 2025-26 season wasn’t a hard one for just Poole, but for this entire Pelicans team, and maybe with a new head coach in place and a clear direction, he could return to form.
A Jordan Poole redemption arc?
This past season, Poole averaged 13.4 points and 3.1 assists per game, while shooting just 37.2 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three. To some, simply bouncing back after having a season as poor as Poole did in 2025-26 may sound far-fetched, but high highs and low lows is really the story of JP’s career. Just a season earlier, Poole was 20.5 points per game and shooting 37.8 percent from three on over nine attempts per game for the Washington Wizards.Â
Now, I'm not saying Poole is going to get right back to being some 20-point-per-game offensive engine, but if he can mimic the efficiency he was scoring with and shooting the three-ball, the Pelicans would be in a good place. On paper, when Poole’s on his game, he’s the exact type of player New Orleans is missing. A steady, shifty, floor spacing shot creator who can come off the bench and shoulder the majority of the offensive load for a second unit in certain spurts.
The other thing I believe may factor into Joe Dumars holding onto Poole through the summer is that Dejounte Murray is likely holding more value on the trade market. I’m under the impression that for Jeremiah Fears to have a successful sophomore campaign, the runway has to be cleared a little bit. Which would mean parting with one of Murray or Poole.
Given how poor of a season JP had in 2025-26, saying his value is at an all-time low feels like a fair assessment. While Murray did just return from a major injury, he’s on a cheaper deal, and when he’s healthy, Murray is a championship-caliber starting point guard. A team like Minnesota, which is in need of a pure point guard, would likely be inclined to give a fair amount of assets to acquire Murray—the same can’t be said about Poole.
Keeping Poole over Murray would also diversify the backcourt a little bit, as Murray and Fears have their similarities with their scoring profiles.
But what if things aren’t working, and the Pelicans are met with the same crossroads they face now, but in the middle of a season? The plus side to a situation like that is that, with his contract being an expiring opposing GMs could be more inclined to take on Poole and his money because it wouldn’t be a long-term commitment.Â
A Jordan Poole trade could very well happen this offseason, but Joe Dumars doesn't need to force it or move it to the top of his priority list. If it makes sense and can help the team get better, go for it. If not, hold onto him and see if another year in the Big Easy can help JP3 get back to being the player the Pelicans originally traded for.
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