New Orleans Pelicans season preview: Opening schedule, win projection and everything to know for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is here! Check out our team previews, including power rankings, best- and worst-case scenarios, and fantasy advice.

2025-26 finish

Record: 26-56 (11th in the West, did not make the playoffs)

Offseason moves

Draft: Jaron Pierre Jr. (No. 58)

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Signings: DeAndre Jordan (2 years, $8 million), Bennedict Mathurin (2 years, $16 million with player option), Saddiq Bey (3-year, $55 million extension)

Key departures: Kevon Looney (signed with Lakers), Jordan Hawkins (traded to Grizzlies), Micah Peavy (traded to Grizzlies)

Current roster

Preseason Power Rankings: No. 27

What’s exciting: Jeremiah Fears is a shifty guard who averaged 30 points on 60% true shooting over his final six games. It’s a tiny sample, but it helped him earn a spot on an All-Rookie team. With Trey Murphy stretching defenses, Zion Williamson pulverizing the paint, and Dejounte Murray helping run the offense, Fears has supportive pieces to help him grow. If he can continue any of the success he had to close the year, the Pelicans might translate some fun into actual wins.

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What’s concerning: Zion played 62 games and the Pelicans still finished 26-56. It’s kind of hard to blame health for that. Fears, Zion, and Derik Queen are all at their best in the paint, so spacing could be an issue. And on defense, none is a stopper. Herb Jones and Murphy can help cover some mistakes, but not all of them. So while the individual talent is intriguing, this roster is very much composed of mismatched parts. And the front office led by Joe Dumars still has to prove it knows how to turn this collection of players into winning basketball. — Kevin O’Connor 

Preseason Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up ahead of 2026-27

Fantasy watch

Bennedict Mathurin starting over Herb Jones is somewhat interesting. I don’t love either, because they’re specialists in different ways. Mathurin is the scorer, and Herb offers the defense. The problem is Herb can’t stay healthy. Another thing to monitor is how the team deploys Jeremiah Fears. He started for Dejounte Murray and, over two preseason games, he’s averaged 13.5 points in 18.3 minutes…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/new-orleans-pelicans-season-preview-opening-schedule-win-projection-and-everything-to-know-for-2026-27-143122089.html

Author : Yahoo Sports Staff

Publish date : 2026-10-15 14:31:00

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