It can be argued that the New Orleans Pelicans had the worst offseason of any NBA team, with head-scratching move after head-scratching move. Pelicans fans have new GM Joe Dumars to thank for that, and his latest comments should infuriate them.
Dumars mentioned during a recent interview that the team’s goal for next season isn’t necessarily to make the playoffs. For those keeping an eye on the Western Conference, that isn’t surprising.
Joe Dumars is asked if trading away the Pelicans’ unprotected first round pick means he expects to make the playoffs: “No. I’ve not put that expectation on anyone…it wasn’t like, ‘okay, we made this trade, I expect to make the playoffs.’ That’s shortsighted to me.” pic.twitter.com/qiVpyK2RTB
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) September 23, 2025
They, along with the Utah Jazz, may be the two worst teams in the conference. He also stated that the team intends to make star Zion Williamson more accountable. That’s all well and good, but they should have been doing that the whole time! Worse yet, they have built a poor-fitting roster around him that’s about to get worse.
The New Orleans Pelicans aren’t doing Zion Williamson any favors
What makes Dumars’ comments baffling is that he traded the Pelicans’ 2026 first-round pick before free agency even began, giving Zion little help. He traded the 23rd pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, as well as an unprotected 2026 first, to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the selection that became Derik Queen.
Queen is expected to miss the start of next season, making the move all the more questionable. Especially now that Dumars admits that the Pelicans may not make the playoffs. The Pelicans giving up an unprotected first in a loaded 2026 NBA Draft is crazy work considering how stacked the top half of the draft really is.
Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and AJ Dybantsa are the three headliners, and all three players could be multi-time all-stars. The Pelicans really couldn’t go wrong with any of those players. Oh, but wait, they traded their pick away!
The Pelicans must hold themselves and Zion Williamson accountable
Holding Zion accountable is a good idea with his off-court issues bubbling to the surface. Fortunately for all involved, Zion looks like a different person, showing up to Pelicans media day looking much slimmer than he has been.
He will also start the season healthy, another solid sign. Nevertheless, accountability goes both ways. The Pelicans need to do a much better job of building around Zion, and their latest moves aren’t it.
Ultimately, if Zion comes in focused and motivated, then he could make the Pelicans dramatically better than expected. If he can, then the Pelicans must do a better job of putting more talent around him. Both sides need each other, and they must hold each other accountable.
