Taking Flight: Pelicans ready for Aussie test

• Zion Williamson formally crowned as franchise player under new basketball boss Joe Dumars.
• Pelicans players embrace criticism as motivation ahead of the NBA x NBL Series against Melbourne United and SEM.
• Win tickets to the sold out NBAxNBL series

The New Orleans Pelicans arrive in Melbourne next week to take on Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix in the NBAxNBL Series, with the mood around the franchise a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

When the series was first agreed to three years ago, the Pelicans roster included rising Australian guard Dyson Daniels, and the front office was led by David Griffin and Swin Cash.

Both have since departed, with NBA great Joe Dumars now overseeing basketball operations. Daniels, meanwhile, is a star in the back court of the Atlanta Hawks.

Speaking with Basketball.com.au, Shamit Dua, Pelicans beat writer and host of the In The NO Podcast, who attended the team’s media day this week, said the theme from the team was accountability, with Dumars making it clear that competing hard every night would be the standard.

Zion Williamson, long the focal point in New Orleans for media attention, has now been formally anointed as the franchise player. With a trimmed-down physique, Williamson was the talking point of media day.

“Everyone understands this is the guy. This is the best player on the team; he’s also the main attraction,” Dua said.

“You are the franchise player now. You have to act like it as well.”

That responsibility only increases after a turbulent start to 2025. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum were traded, leaving Williamson as the sole star. ESPN recently labelled the Pelicans’ off-season the worst in the league, but players have chosen to use that criticism as motivation.

“Trey Murphy made it a point to say he keeps a list of every single slight,” Dua said.

“Zion’s message was ‘when we start succeeding, don’t just hop on the bandwagon’.”

The roster has been reshaped with the additions of Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney and Sadiq Bey. Dua said all three bring valuable experience and hunger.

According to Dua, all three bring both experience and hunger.

“Poole is genuinely appreciative of the game… he brings perspective from winning a championship and also being on a team with no aspirations. Looney seemed excited to have more certainty in his role (in New Orleans), and Bey is eager to return from injury after missing a full season with a torn ACL.”

Depth will be the biggest question. Dumars wants a rotation that runs 11 or 12 players deep, but Dua said a lower number was more realistic.

“There are a handful of wild cards that may surprise people,” he said.

“If the Pelicans get significant improvement from even one of those younger guys like Jordan Hawkins or Yve Missi, it could solidify them. Otherwise, the most likely outcome of this season is just outside the playoff picture.”

As for the Australian trip itself, Dua said there is genuine excitement among the group, even if plans changed along the way.

“It was supposed to be a longer tour with more time to explore the local scene, but now (with a new front office) it’s become more about playing the games and team bonding. Overall, it’s positive, players are looking forward to it.”

The NBAxNBL Series will be the first opportunity for Australian fans to see this revamped Pelicans side, with Zion fully stepping into the role the franchise has finally asked him to embrace.