New Orleans Pelicans Overview
The New Orleans Pelicans are a professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at Smoothie King Center and is identified by the colors navy blue, gold, and red.
The franchise was established in 2002 after George Shinn relocated the Charlotte Hornets to New Orleans. Following damage from Hurricane Katrina, the team temporarily moved to Oklahoma City for two seasons before returning full-time in 2007. The club adopted the Pelicans name in 2013 to better reflect Louisiana’s state bird, the brown pelican. The franchise is owned by Gayle Benson, and Pierre the Pelican has served as the official mascot since 2013.
Founding and Organizational Origins
The franchise traces its origins to the Charlotte Hornets, an NBA club owned by George Shinn. After years of declining attendance in Charlotte and disputes over a new arena, Shinn requested a relocation. The NBA approved the move to New Orleans, returning professional basketball to the city for the first time since the Jazz departed for Salt Lake City in 1979.
The Hornets opened their inaugural New Orleans season on October 30, 2002, defeating the Utah Jazz 100–75 and posthumously retiring the number 7 of “Pistol” Pete Maravich. The team’s initial leadership included head coach Paul Silas, who was replaced by Tim Floyd after the first season and later by Byron Scott. Early operations were built around a young roster, with new front-office staff gradually assembled to support the move into a new market.
Growth Into NBA Competition
Following the relocation, the franchise spent its first two seasons in the Eastern Conference before shifting to the Western Conference’s Southwest Division in 2004–05. The 2005 NBA Draft added point guard Chris Paul, setting the stage for sustained growth. Hurricane Katrina forced the team to relocate operations to Oklahoma City for the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, where most home games were played at the Ford Center.
The organization returned to New Orleans full-time for the 2007–08 season, with all 41 home games played at the New Orleans Arena. Under the guidance of general manager Jeff Bower and coach Byron Scott, the team expanded its player development staff, secured the 2008 NBA All-Star Game for the city, and signed the Smoothie King naming-rights deal that brought the franchise into the Smoothie King Center in 2014.
New Orleans Pelicans Competitive Journey
Across 22 seasons since relocating from Charlotte, the New Orleans franchise has compiled a regular-season record of 831–937 (.470), qualified for the playoffs nine times, captured one division title, and earned two playoff series victories. The franchise has yet to win an NBA championship or advance to a conference final.
Early Seasons and Development (2002–2007)
The Hornets opened their inaugural season with a 47–35 record and reached the 2003 playoffs, where they fell to the Philadelphia 76ers. The 2003–04 team finished 41–41 before another first-round exit, prompting the hire of Byron Scott. After Katrina’s devastation, the team played in Oklahoma City under the name New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, posting records of 38–44 and 39–43 in 2005–06 and 2006–07.
Despite the disruption, the franchise used the period to develop its young core around Chris Paul. Sponsorship and infrastructure groundwork continued, and New Orleans hosted a robust NBA All-Star marketing campaign announced in February 2007. These seasons laid the foundation for the team’s permanent return and subsequent rise.
Breakthrough in NBA (2007–2012)
The Hornets returned to a 56–26 record in 2007–08, their most successful season to date, and won the franchise’s first and only Southwest Division title. With the second seed in the West, they upset the Dallas Mavericks in the first round before losing to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games in the conference semifinals. Chris Paul finished second in MVP voting that year.
After 2008–09 (49–33) and a first-round exit to Denver, Byron Scott was fired midseason in 2009–10 and replaced by general manager Jeff Bower. Monty Williams took over as head coach in 2010 and guided the team to a 46–36 record and a 2011 playoff appearance, where the Lakers eliminated New Orleans in six games. The NBA purchased the franchise from George Shinn in December 2010.
Breakthrough in NBA (2012–2019)
Tom Benson purchased the franchise for $338 million in April 2012 and quickly expressed interest in a more regionally rooted identity. The Hornets drafted Anthony Davis with the first overall pick in 2012, and the team unveiled a new identity as the Pelicans on January 24, 2013, officially completing the rebranding after the 2012–13 season. The new navy, gold, and red palette referenced the New Orleans city flag.
The Pelicans qualified for the 2015 playoffs under Monty Williams, falling to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in a first-round sweep. Alvin Gentry was hired in 2015, and Davis led the team to a 48–34 finish in 2017–18, sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers before losing to Golden State again. After Tom Benson’s death in March 2018, Gayle Benson assumed ownership. Davis was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2019.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2019–Present)
David Griffin became executive vice president of basketball operations in April 2019, and Trajan Langdon was named general manager weeks later. The Pelicans selected Zion Williamson first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, ushering in a new era. Brandon Ingram joined from the Davis trade, became an All-Star in 2020, and won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award that same season.
After missing the playoffs in 2020, the Pelicans acquired CJ McCollum in a 2022 trade and returned to the postseason in 2022. Zion Williamson played 70 games in 2023–24, and Herb Jones earned All-Defensive First Team honors, but the team was swept by Oklahoma City. Dejounte Murray arrived in 2024, and Brandon Ingram was traded to Toronto in February 2025. Trajan Langdon was promoted to president of basketball operations before the 2025–26 season, with James Borrego serving as interim head coach.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Pelicans build their roster around versatile, athletically gifted wings and big men who thrive in transition and high-tempo offense. The franchise has prioritized perimeter defense, reflected in selections like Herb Jones, while developing young stars such as Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram into featured scorers.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Notable moments include the franchise’s first game in New Orleans in 2002, the 56–26 breakthrough in 2007–08, the 2013 rebranding to the Pelicans, and the 2018 playoff sweep of Portland. The selection of Zion Williamson first overall in 2019 and Brandon Ingram’s 2020 Most Improved Player award headline the modern era.
New Orleans Pelicans Achievements and Results
The Pelicans have captured one division title, two playoff series wins, and nine playoff appearances across their 22-season history. They have yet to win a conference championship or the NBA Finals, and have never reached the conference finals.
NBA Achievements
The franchise has recorded 831 regular-season wins through 22 seasons. Its deepest playoff run came in 2007–08, when it reached the Western Conference Semifinals. Additional series victories were recorded in 2018 against Portland and 2024 against Sacramento.
Conference Achievements
The Pelicans have competed exclusively in the Western Conference since 2004–05. They have not won a Western Conference title and have not advanced to the conference finals, tying them with the Charlotte Hornets as the only active NBA franchises yet to reach that round.
Divisional Achievements
The Pelicans have won one Southwest Division title, captured during the 2007–08 season when they posted a 56–26 record. Since then, the team has finished as high as second in the division but has not returned to the top of the standings.
Series Achievements
Series-level success includes the 2008 upset of Dallas, the 2018 sweep of Portland, and the 2024 defeat of Sacramento in the play-in tournament. These appearances reflect a franchise that has produced competitive rosters without sustained postseason runs.