In a recent episode of the Bill Simmons Podcast, Bill Simmons talked about how he felt the Pelicans were likely to be relocated. He suggested that basketball was failing in New Orleans and that there wasn't enough of a fan base to care about the Pelicans leaving NOLA. These claims by Simmons angered the fan base and even led to a former Pelican, Kendrick Perkins, to say this.
"I barked up that tree before and it was a mistake on my part... The fan base got on my heels like a pair of church socks... I was wrong, the fan base is pretty damn good. They're just waiting for the Pelicans to do something"
Perkins mentions that previously, he came at the Pelicans organization, saying they should relocate, as things weren't working. However, Big Perk received a ton of backlash for this, which helped him realize that the Pelicans fans are really invested in their team and are just waiting for a great season.
Perk's experience with the fans is a perfect example of why Simmons' comments were just unnecessary and wrong. Despite spending time as a player in New Orleans during the 2015-16 season, Perk has consistently held the Pelicans accountable. He has called out Zion Williamson for not being in shape and not being healthy over the years. Showing that Perk's comments aren't favoritism for one of his former teams but rather an unbiased, truthful statement.
Kendrick Perkins comments prove Pelicans fans have nothing to worry about
Since Bill Simmons' comments surrounding the Pelicans' relocation, some New Orleans basketball fans have been in a frenzy, worrying that they are about to lose their local NBA team. Perkins' comments should put fans' minds at ease, as it's clear that they aren't going to be losing their team.
Like Perkins mentioned, fans are just waiting for the Pelicans to do something and have a successful year, which appears to be on the horizon in this upcoming season. With the additions Joe Dumars made this summer, the Pelicans are gearing up for what could be their best season since the Anthony Davis era. The only real impact players the Pels lost this summer were CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk, replacing them with clear upgrades in Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney, Saddiq Bey, and three rookies.
All the talk about the Pelicans relocating is clearly just nonsense because of the down season they had in 2024-25, winning just 21 games. These rumors of New Orleans relocating will quickly quiet when the Pelicans return to prominence in the Western Conference during the 2025-26 season.