The Pelicans' five-game streak should be a warning as to the volatility of the bottom of the league
The Atlanta Hawks won the offseason by poaching the rights to New Orleans’ 2026 first round pick on draft night, but the Pelicans have quietly put together a five-game win streak. Consequently, their odds in the lottery dropped from first to fifth.
The Pelicans’ gambit to trade up for Derik Queen was universally recognized as a horrible move, but there still is a path for New Orleans to save face – having a successful season.