New Orleans Pelicans 2026-2027 guide
Few changes and plenty of question marks for the Pelicans, but also some potential Fantasy opportunities: here’s who to target and who to avoid on Dunkest
After finishing 11th last season, you might have expected a few more changes from the New Orleans Pelicans, but they have instead remained largely unchanged. Trey Murphy III’s future remains one of the biggest question marks, and a potential trade could dramatically reshape the team’s balance.
While we wait to see which direction the franchise will take, though, there is no shortage of opportunities for Dunkest Fantasy Basketball. Between players looking to bounce back, young talent to develop and a pecking order that is still taking shape, New Orleans offers several interesting angles.
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Key players
Zion Williamson (F, 12.5 cr.), despite an underwhelming season statistically, still played more than 60 games, which is far from a given. On a team that looks increasingly confused, he is being asked to take on a leadership role, and after admitting that he expects more from himself, perhaps this is the year he pleasantly surprises us.
Few guards can boast the ability to put up a triple-double, and Dejounte Murray (G, 12.5 cr.) has always been one of them. After recovering from his injury and returning during the season, with a full preseason to prepare and plenty of room in the Pelicans’ system, perhaps he can show flashes of the player we admired with the Spurs.
Potential surprises
Bennedict Mathurin (G, 8.0 cr.) is a scorer who can catch fire at any moment, whether he comes off the bench or starts, and the Pelicans will inevitably have to rely heavily on his abilities.
In his first appearance of the season with his new team, he already showed that he has integrated well, dishing out 5 assists in 17 minutes, suggesting he could be more involved in orchestrating the offense than we have seen in the past.
Players to avoid
Jordan Poole (G, 8.5 cr.) looks like a distant memory of the player who shared the floor with Curry in Golden State and, after losing his spot to Jeremiah Fears last season, he is set to be relegated to the role of third option at both backcourt positions.
There are plenty of interesting alternatives in that price range, and unless a trade sends him elsewhere, he will be highly discouraged from a Dunkest perspective this year because of both his role and lack of bonuses.
Projected starting five
PG: Dejounte Murray (Guard, 12.5 Credits)
SG: Herbert Jones (Forward, 6.5 Credits)
SF: Trey Murphy III (Forward, 11.5 Credits)
PF: Zion Williamson (Forward, 12.5 Credits)
C: Yves Missi (Center, 7.0 Credits)
Power Ranking
The Pelicans’ fate once again seems to depend on two factors: Zion Williamson’s health and the availability of their most important players.
In a Western Conference that leaves very little room for error, there is a real risk of once again missing even the Play-In. Talent matters, but after years of missed opportunities, the Pelicans know all too well what availability is the best ability means.
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