New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball franchise based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The team competes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference’s Southwest Division. The franchise was established in 2002 when Charlotte Hornets owner George Shinn relocated the team to New Orleans. The team was rebranded as the Pelicans in 2013. The organization has struggled to achieve sustained success, never advancing past the second round of the playoffs and enduring multiple losing seasons.

The Pelicans are best known for the Chris Paul era (2005-2011) and the Anthony Davis period (2012-2019), both featuring All-NBA talents who ultimately departed without delivering championship contention. Most recently, the franchise has built around Zion Williamson, the first overall pick in 2019, though chronic injuries have prevented him from fulfilling his immense potential.

Charlotte Origins and Relocation (1988–2002)

The franchise began in 1988 as the Charlotte Hornets, one of two NBA expansion teams alongside the Miami Heat. The team quickly developed a passionate fanbase in basketball-rich North Carolina, featuring memorable players including Muggsy Bogues (the shortest player in NBA history at 5’3″), Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and Glen Rice.

Despite on-court success in the mid-to-late 1990s, owner George Shinn feuded with Charlotte over arena funding. When voters rejected a publicly funded new arena, Shinn relocated the franchise to New Orleans in 2002. The entire basketball organization, including player contracts, transferred to the new city, an unusual process compared to typical expansion franchises.

All Charlotte Hornets history from 1988 to 2002 now belongs to the current Charlotte Hornets franchise, which began as the Bobcats in 2004. The New Orleans franchise’s official history begins in 2002.

Early New Orleans Years and Hurricane Katrina (2002–2007)

The New Orleans Hornets began play in 2002 at the New Orleans Arena (later Smoothie King Center), posting an 18-64 inaugural record. The team made the playoffs in 2004 and 2005 behind All-Stars Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn, but was swept both times in the first round.

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, forcing the franchise to temporarily relocate to Oklahoma City for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons. During this period, the team was known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, playing most home games at the Ford Center.

Before the Oklahoma City relocation, the Hornets had selected Chris Paul fourth overall in the 2005 NBA Draft. Paul’s arrival would transform the franchise’s trajectory.

The Chris Paul Era (2007–2011)

When the Hornets returned to New Orleans for the 2007-08 season, Chris Paul led one of the franchise’s most successful periods. Paul, paired with forward David West, guided the team to a franchise-best 56-26 record and the only division title in franchise history (Southwest Division, 2008). The Hornets advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals before losing to San Antonio in seven games.

Paul made four All-Star appearances with New Orleans and led the NBA in assists (2007-08, 2008-09) and steals (2007-08, 2008-09). He remains the franchise’s all-time leader in assists (4,228) and steals (1,010).

Financial difficulties forced Shinn to sell the team. In 2010, unable to find a viable purchaser, the NBA bought the franchise for $300 million. In December 2011, NBA Commissioner David Stern, acting as the team’s de facto general manager, controversially vetoed a three-team trade that would have sent Paul to the Lakers. Days later, Paul was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and a first-round pick.

New Ownership and Rebranding (2012–2013)

On April 13, 2012, Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints, purchased the franchise from the NBA for $338 million. Benson immediately expressed interest in changing the team’s name to better reflect regional identity.

On December 4, 2012, the franchise announced it would rebrand as the New Orleans Pelicans beginning with the 2013-14 season, named after Louisiana’s state bird, the brown pelican. The move allowed the Charlotte Bobcats to reclaim the “Hornets” name and the 1988-2002 history.

The Anthony Davis Era (2012–2019)

Before the rebrand, the Hornets won the 2012 NBA Draft lottery and selected Kentucky forward-center Anthony Davis with the first overall pick. Davis became the franchise’s greatest player statistically, holding records for total points (11,059), average points per game (23.7), and rebounds (4,906). He made six All-Star teams and won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award in 2017.

The Pelicans qualified for the playoffs four times during Davis’ tenure (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019). The 2017-18 season featured the franchise’s only playoff series victory, sweeping Portland before losing to Golden State in the second round.

Despite Davis’ excellence, organizational dysfunction and roster limitations prevented championship contention. In January 2019, Davis requested a trade. New Orleans dealt him to the Lakers in June 2019 for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and multiple first-round picks, including the fourth overall selection in the 2019 draft.

The Zion Williamson Era (2019–Present)

With the first overall pick acquired from the Lakers trade, the Pelicans selected Duke forward Zion Williamson in 2019. Williamson possessed a rare combination of size, athleticism, and explosiveness, generating enormous expectations.

However, Williamson’s career has been defined by chronic injuries. He missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury and has played just 216 of a possible 495 regular-season games since 2019 (43.6% availability). Hamstring, knee, foot, and conditioning issues have repeatedly sidelined him.

In 2021, Williamson signed a five-year, $193 million extension with incentives that could reach $231 million. However, his 2026-27 salary includes conditional guarantees: 40% becomes guaranteed if he plays 41 games, another 20% at 51 games, and another 20% at 61% of possible games—reflecting the franchise’s concern about his availability.

Ownership and Front Office

Gayle Benson has owned the Pelicans since purchasing the franchise from Tom Benson’s estate following his death in 2018. Gayle also owns the New Orleans Saints and is one of the few women to own both NFL and NBA franchises.

David Griffin serves as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, a position he has held since 2019. Griffin’s tenure has featured bold trades (acquiring Adams, Valanciunas, McCollum, Murray) but has come with limited playoff success.

Arena and Facilities

The Pelicans play home games at Smoothie King Center, an 18,500-seat arena in downtown New Orleans that opened in 1999 (originally New Orleans Arena). The franchise’s only retired number is #7, honoring Pete Maravich, who never played for the New Orleans Hornets or Pelicans but starred for the New Orleans Jazz (1974-1979).

Championships and Historical Record

The Pelicans have never won an NBA championship or conference title. The franchise has reached the second round of the playoffs twice (2008, 2018) and won one division title (2008). They have made nine playoff appearances in 24 New Orleans seasons. With Charlotte history excluded, the Pelicans rank among the NBA’s least successful franchises.