NEW ORLEANS — Joe Dumars and Jamahl Mosley are raising the standard for the New Orleans Pelicans entering the 2026–27 NBA season. At September 28 Media Day, the basketball operations executive and new head coach emphasized stronger preparation, defensive commitment and better execution when games are on the line. After a 26-win season, New Orleans has enough talent and rotation options to expect improvement. The challenge is turning that depth into a dependable team that can defend, share responsibilities and finish the games it puts itself in position to win.

ICYMI: Joe Dumars says one of the reasons his confidence level for the #Pelicans is high is due to the ramp up of summer workouts, where they worked twice as hard this summer than before.

New HC Jamahl Mosley even took part in some sessions, setting an always available message. pic.twitter.com/RI4e2j7lI9

— Meagan Glover (@MeaganGTV) September 30, 2026

Quick Facts

• Executive: Joe Dumars, executive vice president of basketball operations.
• Head coach: Jamahl Mosley, beginning his first season in New Orleans.
• Previous season: 26–56.
• Media Day: September 28, 2026.
• Training camp: Opened September 29.
• Central priorities: Defense, defined roles and late-game execution.

Dumars Sees a Different Level of Preparation

Dumars pointed to the players’ summer work as a reason for optimism, telling WGNO that the group put considerably more into its preparation than a year earlier.

“We doubled down on we’ve got to get better,” Dumars said.

He framed expectations around improvement rather than announcing a specific win total. That gives the Pelicans a practical starting point: better preparation must carry into their daily habits and their performance.

Mosley’s presence around summer workouts also helped begin the relationship between the coach and his players before camp. The next step is making those relationships support consistent standards throughout the season.

Mosley’s First Test Is the Defense

New Orleans finished last season 23rd in defensive rating at 117.6, according to Sports Illustrated’s Media Day reporting. Dumars stressed the importance of competing to stop opponents and improving from within the roster.

That makes defensive buy-in central to Mosley’s first season.

From a basketball standpoint, the useful indicators will be clear: how quickly the Pelicans get back in transition, whether they communicate through screens, and whether they finish stops with rebounds. Individual effort needs to connect across all five players.

For a roster with several offensive creators, defense should also help determine which combinations deserve the most important minutes.

A Deep Roster Gives Mosley Choices—and Decisions

The Pelicans have multiple ways to generate offense around Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III. Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, Bennedict Mathurin and Jeremiah Fears give Mosley options in the backcourt, while Herb Jones and Saddiq Bey add established wing talent.

The coaching question is how those pieces complement one another.

Our assessment is that staggering creators could help New Orleans maintain offensive pressure across both units. But each lineup still needs players willing to move without the ball, make quick passes and take demanding defensive assignments.

Depth becomes useful when the coach can answer a specific need. A bench scorer, a perimeter defender and a rebounder may all help win a game in different ways. Camp should establish those responsibilities before the rotation settles.

The Center Position Could Be Flexible

Dumars indicated at Media Day that New Orleans would continue using a committee approach at center. Yves Missi, Derik Queen and Karlo Matkovic offer different tools for Mosley to consider. [5]

That opens the possibility of adjusting the frontcourt to the opponent. Our view is that the important measure will be whether those combinations protect the paint, rebound and leave enough space for the offense to function.

What It Means: Close Games Must Become a Priority

Mosley’s review of last season highlighted injuries and trouble finishing competitive games. WGNO reported that he discussed preparing for those situations with an approach similar to a football two-minute drill. [1]

That is a meaningful camp priority. Late possessions require practiced decisions: who initiates the offense, where the next pass goes, which matchups to attack and how the team defends without fouling.

The Pelicans’ depth gives them options. Their execution will determine how much those options improve their record.

What’s Next

Training camp and preseason will begin revealing Mosley’s preferred combinations and the players who can meet his standards consistently.

For Pels Nation, the signs of progress should be visible before any standings prediction: organized possessions, connected defense and greater composure in tight games.

Pels Nation: What should be the Pelicans’ biggest priority—defense, rotation clarity or closing games?

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