The New Orleans Pelicans faced a turbulent 2024-2025 season, finishing with a dismal 21-61 record, largely due to injuries to key players. The anticipated 'Big 3' of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Dejounte Murray failed to deliver, with all three struggling with injuries throughout the season. Despite these challenges, Trey Murphy emerged as a fantasy standout, posting career-high averages and solidifying his place in the lineup.

Meanwhile, Murray's season was marred by injury, limiting him to just 31 games, and raising concerns about his future availability. Williamson, regarded for his immense talent, continued to be a risk for fantasy managers due to his ongoing injury issues. Several other players, including Herb Jones and C.J. McCollum, also faced challenges, impacting their fantasy viability in upcoming drafts. Coach Willie Green's squad now looks towards the future, hoping for a healthier roster in the next season.

The New Orleans Pelicans faced a tumultuous 2024-2025 season, finishing with a 21-61 record, largely affected by persistent injuries to key players like Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray. The anticipated growth of a promising 'Big 3' including Williamson, Murray, and Brandon Ingram was hindered, as injuries drastically impacted team chemistry and performance.

Trey Murphy stood out as a bright spot, showcasing significant improvement with career-high averages of 21.2 points and 5.1 rebounds, and establishing himself as a reliable contributor. Alternatively, Dejounte Murray's season was marred by injuries, limiting him to just 31 games and raising concerns about his fitness for the next season. Players like C.J. McCollum and Herb Jones also struggled with injuries, affecting their contributions.

As the Pelicans look to rebound in the coming season, the health of their roster will be crucial in navigating the competitive Western Conference. Fantasy managers must carefully consider the injury history of these players when drafting for the upcoming season.

Fantasy basketball this past season was a rollercoaster of injuries, lineup shifts, and tanking strategies. A stark reminder emerged: investing in players from tanking teams often backfires. The New Orleans Pelicans suffered dramatically with key players like Zion Williamson missing extensive games, while the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards failed to produce reliable fantasy assets.

Managing depth proved crucial as injuries and DNPs wreaked havoc. Roster depth and making shrewd trades with underperforming players became essential. Avoiding disgruntled or injury-prone players like Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard was vital for maintaining a competitive edge. League commissioners faced challenges too, highlighting the need for proactive measures to manage player availability effectively.

Joe Dumars, a Hall of Famer and former Detroit Pistons executive, is set to return to his Louisiana roots as the New Orleans Pelicans' new head of basketball operations. Dumars takes over from David Griffin, who faced criticism after just two playoff appearances in six seasons. Dumars comes aboard at a critical juncture for the Pelicans, with key decisions to make regarding coach Willie Green's future and the potential trading of star player Zion Williamson. Despite Williamson's talent, his injury history poses a dilemma, and rumors suggest he may be on the trading block this offseason.

Dumars’ experience includes serving as a consultant for the Sacramento Kings and a role at the NBA league office, where he oversaw important disciplinary actions. His challenge will include navigating a roster that has struggled with injuries, including key players like CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray, and making crucial decisions about the team's direction moving forward.

The New Orleans Pelicans have parted ways with executive vice president David Griffin after a disappointing tenure that spanned six seasons. Under his leadership, the team recorded a 209-263 win-loss record and made two playoff appearances. A significant aspect of Griffin's time with the Pelicans was the 2019 trade of star player Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers, which brought in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart, along with three first-round draft picks, including the coveted No. 1 overall pick used to select Zion Williamson.

However, Williamson's time on the court has been plagued by injuries, with him participating in only 45% of games since being drafted and missing both playoff opportunities. This season, the Pelicans finished with a dismal 21-61 record, marking the fourth-worst in the league. Key injuries to players such as Dejounte Murray, Ingram, and Williamson severely hampered the team's performance, leading to a rocky start and eventual season shutdown for CJ McCollum.