We are almost back. New Orleans Pelicans basketball is so close to finally making its return, as the Team will play its first preseason game in Australia on October 3rd. After how disappointing last season was with all the injuries and personal issues going on and a 21-61 finish, fans should be extremely excited about the 2025-26 roster.
This year's team shouldn’t disappoint fans the same way last year's did. Zion Williamson is coming into camp in the best shape of his career, Trey Murphy III is ready for a breakout, Herb Jones is back healthy, and Jordan Poole is expected to build off a career year. This team is deep, well-rounded and extremely talented.
With the new additions of Poole, Kevon Looney, Saddiq Bey and three rookies in Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen and Micah Peavy, this group is going to need some time to gel.
With the moves Joe Dumars made this summer, the Pelicans will need to determine everyone's roles and how each player on the roster can fit into a winning style of play. Thankfully, this group will have plenty of time to mesh and bond with each other during their preseason trip to Australia, where they'll take on Melbourne United on October 3rd and face South East Melbourne Phoenix on October 4th.
The Pelicans' time in Australia is only going to make this group stronger
Taking a trip like this as a team isn’t going to have the same impact as a regular road trip would, because this group is travelling nearly 10,000 miles together.
“This is a great bonding opportunity for all of our guys,” head coach Willie Green said. “We're excited about interacting with the fans in Australia. For many of us, it’s our first time in Australia. They're super excited. We're going to really get a good look at our guys, get some dinners together, do some fan engagements and come out of this stronger.”
Green is 100% right. This trip is only going to make this group stronger and really help them mesh and build chemistry with one another. If you were a kid who played on a travel sports team, you remember that when your team would travel to new places, the team would only get closer—staying up all night in hotels playing video games, talking and eating garbage food, good times. I promise you, this is the same thing NBA players do on the road.
The Pelicans now get to start their preseason early and get closer together while experiencing a new country. You can’t tell me that won’t bring a group of guys closer together.
With the numerous changes the Pelicans made after last season, by bringing in a new front office and a new group of players to surround Williamson, Murphy III, and Jones, a trip like this is going to be crucial in building team chemistry.