Six years ago, when the New Orleans Pelicans won the NBA draft lottery and got the chance to draft Zion Williamson, the future had never looked brighter. With Anthony Davis being traded to the Lakers, the Pelicans now had a young core to build around with Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Zion, and two other rookies. Banners were expected to be hung in New Orleans over the next decade.
Things didn't end up going that way as the Pelicans consistently dealt with injuries, letdowns, and setbacks. The 2024-25 season was a new low for this organization as they dealt with so many injuries that they finished with the second-worst record in the entire league.