By Gee Bino | The Who Dat Daily
The Players Stayed. The Coaches Changed. Why the Pelicans Believe This Season Will Be Different
When Joe Dumars took over basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, he made one thing abundantly clear through his actions.
He wasn’t convinced the roster was the problem.
Instead of blowing up the team following a disappointing 26-56 season, the Pelicans chose continuity. Approximately 93 percent of last year’s playing minutes return, with only a handful of roster changes. The most dramatic offseason moves happened behind the scenes.
Out went head coach Willie Green and interim coach James Borrego. In came Jamahl Mosley, along with one of the most comprehensive organizational restructures the franchise has undertaken in years.
The message from the front office couldn’t be clearer: they believe the talent was already in the building—they simply needed a better system to maximize it.
Continuity on the Court
Unlike many lottery teams, New Orleans resisted making wholesale roster changes.
The Pelicans re-signed veteran center DeAndre Jordan to maintain leadership and front court depth, while Hunter Dickinson returned on a two-way contract after an impressive Summer League showing.
The franchise also added second-round pick Jaron Pierre Jr., whose scoring ability and confidence have already stood out during Summer League.
The only notable player departures were Kevon Looney, whose option was declined before signing with the Lakers, and guard Trey Alexander, who joined the Utah Jazz.
By keeping the core intact, Dumars signaled confidence in a roster featuring Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Yves Missi, Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Hawkins, Karlo Matković, and a deep supporting cast.
If the Players Stayed, What Changed?
Almost everything else.
The Pelicans hired Jamahl Mosley after an extensive coaching search, believing his philosophy better matched the roster’s strengths.
Mosley arrives with a reputation for building elite defensive teams and developing young players. During his tenure in Orlando, he helped transform the Magic into one of the NBA’s better defensive clubs while overseeing the growth of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
But Dumars didn’t stop with the head coach.
He rebuilt the infrastructure around the team.
New Orleans hired God Shammgod as a front-of-the-bench assistant and player-development specialist, while also revamping its medical, strength and conditioning, analytics, player personnel, and basketball operations departments.
This wasn’t simply a coaching change.
It was an organizational reset.
Fixing Last Year’s Biggest Problems
The Pelicans weren’t lacking talent.
They were lacking consistency.
Last season exposed several recurring issues:
- Defensive breakdowns in transition
- League-worst points allowed in the paint
- Predictable fourth-quarter offense
- Stagnant isolation basketball
- Inconsistent player development
- Mounting injuries
- A locker room searching for stability
Mosley has already begun attacking each area.
Defensively, his philosophy emphasizes physical point-of-attack pressure, disciplined rotations, and accountability.
Offensively, he’ll replace static isolation possessions with continuous movement, read-and-react concepts, and better spacing.
His approach is designed to maximize Zion Williamson’s downhill explosiveness while allowing Dejounte Murray to orchestrate the offense naturally instead of forcing difficult late-clock possessions.
Young Players Could Benefit Most
Perhaps the biggest winners are the Pelicans’ young core.
Players like Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, Jaron Pierre Jr., Hunter Dickinson, Micah Peavy, Karlo Matković, and Bryce McGowens now enter an environment centered on player development.
God Shammgod’s arrival reinforces that commitment.
Widely respected as one of basketball’s premier skill-development coaches, Shammgod brings years of experience helping guards improve ball-handling, decision-making, and offensive creativity.
His influence is already visible during Summer League, where New Orleans has played with noticeably improved pace, ball movement, and defensive intensity.
The Pressure Has Shifted
One year ago, questions centered on whether the roster was good enough.
Today, the front office has answered that question with its offseason decisions.
Rather than replacing players, New Orleans replaced leadership.
That means expectations now rest squarely on the coaching staff’s ability to unlock the talent already on the roster.
If the Pelicans become a playoff contender, Joe Dumars’ faith in continuity will look brilliant.
If they struggle again, the conversation will inevitably shift toward the roster itself.
There will be far fewer excuses.
Big Q’s Take
This offseason wasn’t about assigning blame.
It was about identifying solutions.
Joe Dumars inherited a team that had talent but failed to consistently translate it into wins. His response wasn’t to tear everything down—it was to build a stronger foundation around the players already in place.
Jamahl Mosley, God Shammgod, and the expanded support staff represent a clear investment in accountability, development, and culture.
Now it’s time to find out whether the front office’s belief was justified.
Because if this roster plays to its potential under Mosley, the Pelicans could become one of the NBA’s most improved teams.
And if they don’t?
The conversation next summer won’t be about coaching.
It will be about the roster.
Why It Matters
The Pelicans have made a bold organizational bet. Instead of chasing another roster overhaul, they chose stability on the court and transformation behind the scenes. The success of that decision will shape not only the 2026-27 season but the franchise’s long-term direction under Joe Dumars.
How God Shammgod Could Transform the Pelicans’ Player Development
Gee Bino is a senior writer and columnist for The Who Dat Daily, covering the New Orleans Saints, Pelicans, LSU athletics, and the Gulf South sports landscape. He specializes in roster construction, player development, salary cap strategy, and breaking news coverage. Follow The Who Dat Daily for daily news, analysis, and exclusive team coverage.