The New Orleans Pelicans are pivoting towards a complete tank mode, determined to secure a top-three position in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. The team has decided to shut down star players Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum for the season, citing injuries that appear to mask a strategic retreat rather than mere health concerns. Despite showing flashes of brilliance when healthy, Williamson's 30-game season exemplifies a troubling pattern of injuries that complicates his future with the franchise.

With a current record that ranks fourth-worst in the league, the Pelicans are two losses behind the Charlotte Hornets, who also have a challenging schedule ahead. The Pelicans face off against teams like the Clippers and Lakers, and they are keen to capitalize on this opportunity to secure a higher draft pick. The stakes are high; if they end up fifth in the lottery standings, their chances of landing the coveted No. 1 pick plummet significantly. Injury woes aside, the Pelicans' fate and strategy now revolve around a delicate balancing act between securing tangible assets for the future and maintaining the potential of their star players.