On October 24, 2025, the New Orleans Pelicans were just one game into their season, and disaster struck: Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic, and Kevon Looney were all injured. So Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver pivoted to 37-year-old semi-retired DeAndre Jordan, and that has since proved to be the team's best decision this season.
When Jordan arrived, expectations were low. Fans knew the team was getting another former NBA champion who could provide leadership and play spot minutes at center, but not much more was expected. Since arriving, he has blown away all expectations; he hasn't just been your typical veteran coaching up young guys once in a while. Instead, he's been a voice on a nightly basis and, in a way, an extension of interim head coach James Borrego and his staff.
Pair that with the fact that he ended up starting in five straight games at center back at the end of February, and it makes it that much more obvious how important he's been for this team this season.
Jordan has become a mentor for the Pelicans' entire roster
When we look at how veterans typically impact teams, especially young ones, they most often take one or two players under their wing and focus on helping them develop and grow. DJ has done that with both Derik Queen and Zion Williamson. We all remember that after DQ had his first big game of the season and was being interviewed post-game, Jordan shouted across the locker room to stand up when speaking to the media. This was the start of that bond, and since then, Jordan has been holding Queen accountable, calming him down when he gets heated and showing him how to be a pro.
With Zion and Jordan, it's always been about uplifting, as at this point, Z understands the league, but Jordan knows he can get down on himself. Over the course of a game, you more often than not see Jordan as the first person hyping Zion up after a big play or reassuring him after a mistake.
Where he separates himself is that, even though his main focus appears to be on Queen and Zion, he is still coaching up and serving as a voice for the entire roster. Countless times, we've seen him guiding the other two rookies, Micah Peavy and Jeremiah Fears, and getting in the ears of Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey. In every single game, he is a major morale booster and someone helping this young group develop winning habits, which is why the Pelicans have a 8-5 record since the All-Star break.
When DeAndre Jordan was signed, no one ever expected him to have the impact he's had on this young team. In such a short time, he's left a massive imprint on this young group, and the role he played this season will be a huge factor in their long-term development. Although this could be his final season playing, there's no doubt in my mind that the impact he's had this season may have earned him a spot with the team's coaching staff in the future.