The New Orleans Pelicans are close to being something they haven't been in a long time—fully healthy. Last season, injuries defined their campaign, with a never-ending injury report derailing consistency. With Dejounte Murray returning and appearing in his second game Thursday night in Utah, the team is nearing full strength.
With Yves Missi dealing with a calf strain and interim head coach James Borrego saying that Trey Murphy III's absence "won’t be a long one," we could see a fully healthy Pels group very soon. That raises the obvious question: what will the rotation look like at full health?
Say what you want about the Pelicans this season, but one thing you can't take away is that they are deep—they may not fit perfectly together or have elite top-end talent. But at their core, this is a skilled group with a lot of depth.
Though New Orleans’ depth may raise questions about who to start, who to bench, and who to leave out entirely, it should actually be viewed as a massive strength. Some teams are handcuffed to limited rotation options—the Pelicans are not.
James Borrego also highlighted the team’s depth ahead of Thursday’s game in Utah when asked about managing the rotation. "I can’t make 15 guys happy, but I know I have 15 guys ready to go," said Borrego.
Why depth could be New Orleans’ biggest strength
In Dejounte Murray's return game, we saw a prime example of how this rotation versatility can benefit the Pelicans. Early in the third quarter of Tuesday's game against the Warriors, New Orleans' offense lacked energy, but because of their depth, the coaching staff could counter quickly. Borrego opted to bring in Bryce McGowens, who sat the entire first half but came in and gave the team another look.
This paid off as McGowens contributed seven points, four rebounds, one steal, and one block, playing 18 of the remaining 24 minutes. While the Warriors were beginning to wear down, the Pelicans inserted a player who had fresh legs, giving them a massive advantage.
Some nights, one of the team's guards could struggle like rookie Jeremiah Fears, and instead of being married to playing him, Borrego can go to a veteran in Jordan Poole. Or if Herb Jones is struggling to be effective offensively, the team can switch gears and throw Saddiq Bey or Trey Murphy III (when healthy) to switch things up.
As the Pelicans get healthier, questions about how the rotation will be managed going forward will obviously follow. The flexibility to rely on 12-plus players is a luxury many teams don't have, and it’s a strength New Orleans should lean into as it closes the 2025–26 season.