Biggest Flaw in the Pelicans Roster They Can't Afford to Ignore

The hopeful summer of change was anything but for the New Orleans Pelicans. While a host of NBA teams made moves this offseason to bolster their roster, the Pelicans took a more cautious approach in trying to fine-tune a talented yet flawed roster. The biggest personnel move to date was re-signing 37-year-old veteran center DeAndre Jordan to a two-year deal.

New Orleans’ lack of moves was not from a lack of trying, according to executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars. The former Detroit Pistons legend told The Times-Picayune, “We were engaged in a lot of conversations with a lot of different teams.”

Despite the behind-the-scenes communication, no deals were made to acquire or offload any players this summer. That leaves the Pelicans still in desperate need of one of their biggest deficiencies: outside shooting.

The Pelicans All-Time 3PT leader:

Trey Murphy III, one of one. pic.twitter.com/QJf8M2uZb9
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 4, 2026

Pelicans' Lack of Shooting Sets Them Up to Fail Once Again

Last season, New Orleans ranked 25th in the league in three-point attempts, 27th in three-point makes, and 24th in overall three-point percentage. Those numbers are problematic for a team that heavily showcases Zion Williamson and Derik Queen on the offensive end. Neither player has consistently developed an outside shot, and Dumars told reporters this summer he intends for the duo to play extended minutes together this season.

That leaves the Pelicans with at least two non-shooters on the floor for the majority of the game. Fellow rookie last season, Jeremiah Fears, showed flashes of promise with his speed and playmaking, but he shot just 33% from beyond the arc. Jordan Poole also shot 33% from deep, while Dejounte Murray is a career 33% shooter from beyond the arc. Murray shot 29% last year after returning from a torn Achilles injury.

Last year’s usage rate stats point to an uneven balance tied to the players who handle the ball and can knock down outside shots. Of the top seven players on the team in usage last season, only Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey shot over 35% from deep. They were fifth and seventh, respectively, in usage, so the top players who have the ball in their hands are not true threats from the outside.

Needless to say, as presently constructed, this team is lacking bona fide three-point shooting, and today’s NBA dictates that it’s necessary to be effective in this league.

Over the last six seasons, only one team, the 2024-2025 Oklahoma City Thunder, finished outside of the top 10 in three-point shooting in the year they won the NBA championship. While this franchise is far from competing for a title, establishing some winning consistency would involve acquiring some quality shooting.

Top 5 (highest blocks against average since 1996-97):

Shareef Abdur-Rahim 2.2 in 1997-98
Shareef Abdur-Rahim 2.1 in 1998-99
Jermaine O'Neal 2.1 in 2003-04
Shawn Kemp 2.1 in 1998-99
Keith Van Horn 2.1 in 1998-99
Zion Williamson 2.1 in 2020-21 https://t.co/g8zHV7nLSx
— Crazy Stats (@NBAcrazystats) November 8, 2024

For years, the Pelicans have longed to match a stretch big to play alongside Williamson, giving him additional space to operate in the paint. Zion is one of the most blocked players in the league at his 6-foot-6 frame, since most bigs that play next to him operate down low as well.

Without acquiring some size and shooting, expect more of the same from teams crowding Williamson in the paint to block his shots.

The front office's reluctance or inability to secure outside shooting will make it difficult for Jamahl Mosley and his coaching staff to be successful this upcoming season. Until they can acquire some floor spacing to help Williamson and Queen down below, the Pelicans’ ceiling will be capped, preventing them from truly competing in the Western Conference.

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