Editing New Orleans Pelicans (section)

==History==
{{main|History of the New Orleans Pelicans}}

===Basketball in New Orleans===
[[File:New Orleans Jazz Logo, 1975-1979.png|thumb|upright=1.1|The Jazz briefly played in New Orleans in the late 1970s and took their team identity from the city's musical history.]]
New Orleans had been a founding member of the ABA with the [[New Orleans Buccaneers]] (1967–1970), but the lack of a dedicated arena and a poor performance record led the team to relocate to Memphis. The city acquired an NBA expansion franchise in June 1974: the [[Utah Jazz|New Orleans Jazz]] (as a tribute to [[Dixieland|New Orleans' history]] of originating [[jazz music]]). The team faced a number of the same logistical and financial woes, and relocated to Salt Lake City in 1979–80. One of the few bright spots during the Jazz's tenure in New Orleans was the acquisition of [[Pete Maravich|"Pistol" Pete Maravich]] (who had played college basketball at [[LSU Tigers basketball|LSU]]). Although he was considered one of the most entertaining players in the league and won the scoring championship for the [[1976–77 NBA season|1976–77 season]] with 31.1 points per game, the Jazz's best record while in New Orleans was 39–43 in the [[1977–78 NBA season|1977–78 season]].

In 1994, the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] were suffering financially and an ownership group almost [[Minnesota Timberwolves failed relocation to New Orleans|purchased the team and moved it to New Orleans]]. The Timberwolves would have played at the [[Louisiana Superdome]] until a new arena was constructed. Financial problems, however, led to the NBA blocking the move. New Orleans would attempt to chase the [[Memphis Grizzlies|Vancouver Grizzlies]] before finally landing another team in 2002.

===2002–2005: the relocation and early years in New Orleans===
While the [[Charlotte Hornets]] put a competitive team on the court throughout the 1990s, the team's attendance began falling dramatically. Many attributed this lapse in popularity to the team's owner, [[George Shinn]], who was slowly becoming despised by the people of the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/charhorn/charhornets.html |title=Charlotte Hornets (1988–2002) |publisher=SportsECyclopedia.com |date=February 28, 2015 |access-date=February 28, 2015 |archive-date=November 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102215321/http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/charhorn/charhornets.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1997, a Charlotte woman claimed that Shinn had raped her, and the resulting trial severely tarnished his reputation in the city. The consensus was that while Charlotte was a basketball city, fans took out their anger at Shinn on the team. Shinn had also become discontented with the [[Charlotte Coliseum]], which had been considered state-of-the-art when it opened but had since been considered obsolete due to a limited number of luxury boxes. On March 26, 2001, both the Hornets and the [[Vancouver Grizzlies]] applied for relocation to [[Memphis, Tennessee]],<ref>{{cite web|title=CNNSI.com – NBA Basketball – Hornets to apply for relocation to Memphis – Monday March 26, 2001 05:47 PM |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/03/26/hornets_memphis_ap/ |publisher=SportsIllustrated.CNN.com |date=March 26, 2001 |access-date=December 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020208045826/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2001/03/26/hornets_memphis_ap/ |archive-date=February 8, 2002}}</ref> which was ultimately [[Vancouver Grizzlies relocation to Memphis|won by the Grizzlies]]. Shinn then issued an ultimatum that unless the city built a new arena at no cost to him, the Hornets would leave town. The city initially refused, leading Shinn to consider moving the team to either [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]], [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]], or [[St. Louis]]. Of the cities in the running, only St. Louis had an NBA-ready arena, the [[Enterprise Center|Savvis Center]], already in place and was a larger media market than Charlotte at the time; also, it was the only one of the four to have previously hosted an NBA franchise—the [[St. Louis Hawks]], who moved to [[Atlanta]] in 1968.

Investigations into the [[Louisville Cardinals men's basketball]] program uncovered information regarding a non-binding agreement made around this time period to move the Hornets to Louisville. At the time, Louisville officials were in the early stages of building a new arena. A group of businessmen and politicians from Louisville signed a non-binding agreement with the Hornets to move the team to Louisville, as long as they built a new arena downtown. Louisville officials were in the early planning process of building what would be the [[KFC Yum! Center]]. Louisville officials were eager to bring the NBA team to Louisville, whose last professional basketball team was the ABAs [[Kentucky Colonels]]. However, Louisville Basketball's newly hired head coach [[Rick Pitino]] and athletic director [[Tom Jurich]] were publicly opposed to the idea of bringing a professional sports team to Louisville, which led to the deal falling through.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-14 |title=Report: Hornets had agreement to move to Louisville, but Rick Pitino blocked the plan |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/report-hornets-had-agreement-to-move-to-louisville-but-rick-pitino-blocked-the-plan/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=CBSSports.com}}</ref> [[David Stern]] recalled thinking "If Rick Pitino doesn't want us there, why would we go?".<ref>{{Cite news |title=College Basketball Made Louisville, Then Broke It |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-12-13/college-basketball-made-louisville-then-broke-it |access-date=2025-01-16 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=2017-12-13}}</ref>

Finally, a new arena in [[Charlotte center city|Uptown]], which would eventually become the [[Spectrum Center (arena)|Spectrum Center]], was included in a non-binding referendum for a larger arts-related package, and Shinn withdrew his application to move the team. Polls showed the referendum on its way to passage. However, just days before the referendum, Mayor [[Pat McCrory]] vetoed a [[living wage]] ordinance. The veto prompted many of the city's African American ministers to oppose the referendum; they felt it was immoral for the city to build a new arena when city employees were not paid enough to make a living.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Boykin |first1=Sam |title=Other stories of note this year included "World Class City, Third World Paycheck" |url=https://clclt.com/charlotte/other-stories-of-note-this-year-included-world-class-city-third-world-paycheck/Content?oid=2347517&showFullText=true |website=Creative Loafing Charlotte |access-date=November 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129222543/https://clclt.com/charlotte/other-stories-of-note-this-year-included-world-class-city-third-world-paycheck/Content?oid=2347517&showFullText=true |archive-date=November 29, 2019 |date=December 29, 2001}}</ref> After the referendum failed, city leaders devised a plan to build a new arena in a way that did not require voter support, but made it known that they would not even consider building it unless Shinn sold the team. While even the NBA acknowledged that Shinn had alienated fans, league officials felt such a demand would anger other owners as it could set a precedent.<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=1334984&type=news |title=ESPN.com – Council willing to amend 'new owner' statement |publisher=ESPN.Go.com |date=February 16, 2002 |access-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-date=March 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330074205/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=1334984&type=news |url-status=live}}</ref> The city council refused to remove the statement, leading the Hornets to request a move to New Orleans—a move which would eventually return the NBA to that city for the first time since the [[Utah Jazz|Jazz]] moved to [[Salt Lake City]] in 1979. Before the Hornets were eliminated from the playoffs, the NBA approved the move. As part of a deal, the NBA promised that Charlotte would get a new team, which took the court two years later as the [[Charlotte Hornets#2004–2014: Charlotte Bobcats|Charlotte Bobcats]].

In a 2008 interview with ''[[The Charlotte Observer]]'', Shinn, who has not returned to Charlotte since the Hornets moved, admitted that the "bad judgment I made in my life" played a role in the Hornets' departure. He also said that if he had it to do all over again, he would not have withdrawn from the public after the sexual assault trial. Shinn emphasized how he was making amends by committing to New Orleans saying, "I've made enough mistakes in my life. I'm not going to make one here. This city needs us here. We're going to make this (New Orleans) thing work."<ref>{{cite news|last = Green|first =Ron Jr|url =http://www.charlotteobserver.com/502/story/294986.html |title = Shinn: I messed up in Charlotte|date = November 1, 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909140222/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/502/story/294986.html |archive-date=September 9, 2012 |work = The Charlotte Observer}}</ref>

The Hornets opened [[2002–03 New Orleans Hornets season|their inaugural season]] in New Orleans on October 30, 2002, against New Orleans' original NBA franchise, the [[Utah Jazz]]. In the first regular season NBA game played in New Orleans in over 17 years,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00014103.html |title=ESPN.com: Eye for victory |publisher=ESPN.Go.com |access-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-date=November 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127175835/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014103.html |url-status=live}}</ref> the Hornets defeated the Jazz 100–75, and posthumously retired #7 of [[Pete Maravich|"Pistol" Pete Maravich]] during halftime. The Hornets finished the season with a 47–35 record but were defeated by the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] in the First Round of the [[2003 NBA playoffs|2003 playoffs]]. Following the season, the team unexpectedly fired head coach [[Paul Silas]] and replaced him with [[Tim Floyd]]. The Hornets began the [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04 season]] strong with a 17–7 start but sputtered at the end and finished 41–41. They lost to the [[Miami Heat]] in the First Round of the [[2004 NBA playoffs|2004 playoffs]]. After the season, Floyd was fired and the team hired [[Byron Scott]] as its new head coach.

During the first two seasons in New Orleans, the Hornets competed in the NBA's [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]]. The [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]] saw the team move to the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]]'s [[Southwest Division (NBA)|Southwest Division]] to even the number of teams in each conference after the Charlotte Bobcats started play in their inaugural season of that same year. In a season marred by injuries to the team's three all-stars, the team finished the year with a franchise-worst record of 18–64.

===2005–2011: the Chris Paul era===
[[File:Chris Paul.jpg|thumb|180px|right|[[Chris Paul]], selected by the Hornets as the fourth pick of the [[2005 NBA draft]]]]
In the [[2005 NBA draft|subsequent draft]], the Hornets used their first-round pick to select point guard [[Chris Paul]] out of [[Wake Forest University]]. Because of the catastrophic devastation brought by [[Hurricane Katrina]] upon the communities of southeastern [[Louisiana]], the Hornets franchise [[Effect of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans Hornets|temporarily relocated]] its base of operations to [[Oklahoma City|Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]], in 2005–06 and 2006–07, posting records of 38–44 and 39–43 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hornets to Play in Oklahoma City|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/multimedia/ok_city_050921.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Pelicans.com|date=September 21, 2005|access-date=September 21, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222063507/http://www.nba.com/pelicans/multimedia/ok_city_050921.html|archive-date=February 22, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> During this time, the franchise was known as the '''New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets'''. In these two seasons, most home games were played at the [[Chesapeake Energy Arena|Ford Center]] in Oklahoma City, while a few remained at New Orleans Arena. One year after the Hornets moved back to New Orleans permanently, the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] [[Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City|relocated to Oklahoma City]] and became the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]].

The Hornets franchise returned to New Orleans full-time for the 2007–08 season, with all 41 home games in the New Orleans Arena. The 2008 [[NBA All-Star Game]] and its accompanying festivities were awarded to New Orleans and a serious marketing campaign was commenced in February 2007. Healthier than previous seasons, the Hornets opened the season with a 29–12 record at the halfway mark, completing the regular season with a record of 56–26, making the season their most successful ever. The Hornets also won their first division title, winning the [[Southwest Division (NBA)|Southwest Division]]. Having clinched the second overall seed for the Western Conference in the [[2008 NBA playoffs|2008 playoffs]], the Hornets beat the [[Dallas Mavericks]] in the first round, but then lost to the defending-champion [[San Antonio Spurs]] in seven games in the conference semifinals.

In August 2008, the Hornets unveiled a modified logo and new uniforms with the colors of Creole blue, purple, and [[Mardi Gras]] gold. Pinstripes were also added to the uniforms. The Hornets also introduced a new gold alternate uniform in 2010 which was used mostly in games played on Saturday at home and on the road. The Hornets finished the [[2008–09 NBA season|2008–09 season]] with a 49–33 record. Facing the [[Denver Nuggets]] in the first round of the [[2009 NBA playoffs|2009 playoffs]], the Hornets were eliminated in five games. The Hornets started the [[2009–10 NBA season|2009–10 season]] with a 3–6 record and fired head coach [[Byron Scott]]. General manager [[Jeff Bower (basketball)|Jeff Bower]] took over the head coaching duties for the remainder of the season. The Hornets finished the season with a 37–45 record and last in the Southwest Division they had won two seasons prior. Jeff Bower resigned as head coach and [[Monty Williams]] was brought in as new head coach. The team finished the [[2010–11 NBA season|2010–11 season]] with a 46–36 record and qualified for the [[2011 NBA playoffs]], where they lost to the Lakers four games to two.

In December 2010, the NBA purchased the Hornets from [[George Shinn]] for an estimated $300 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bennett|first=Dashiell|title=Larry Ellison Confirms He Tried To Buy The New Orleans Hornets, But Was Beaten Back By The NBA|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/larry-ellison-confirms-he-tried-to-buy-the-new-orleans-hornets-but-was-beaten-back-by-the-nba-2011-1|work=Business Insider|date=January 7, 2011|access-date=January 7, 2011|archive-date=January 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110033401/http://www.businessinsider.com/larry-ellison-confirms-he-tried-to-buy-the-new-orleans-hornets-but-was-beaten-back-by-the-nba-2011-1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NBA completes Hornets purchase|url=http://www.nba.com/2010/news/12/20/hornets-sale.ap/index.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=December 20, 2010|access-date=December 20, 2010|archive-date=December 26, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226034916/http://www.nba.com/2010/news/12/20/hornets-sale.ap/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2011: the departure of Chris Paul====
Before the [[2011–12 NBA season|2011–12 season]], the Hornets were considering trade offers for Chris Paul and he requested a trade to the [[New York Knicks]]. The Hornets looked at many teams, including the [[Boston Celtics]] and the [[Golden State Warriors]] as trade partners, but Paul had made it clear he wanted to be traded to New York or Los Angeles. A three-team trade involving the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] and the [[Houston Rockets]] was agreed upon, but commissioner [[David Stern]], acting as the President of Basketball Operations for the Hornets (which were owned by the league office at that time) rejected the trade.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Ballard |first1=Chris |title=David Stern has no time for war stories |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2018/10/24/david-stern-adam-silver-lebron-james-chris-paul-donald-trump-lakers-hornets |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=September 29, 2022 |date=October 24, 2018 |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929090849/https://www.si.com/nba/2018/10/24/david-stern-adam-silver-lebron-james-chris-paul-donald-trump-lakers-hornets |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/sports/basketball/paul-set-to-join-lakers-as-part-of-3-team-deal.html|title=N.B.A. Rejects Trade Sending Paul to Lakers|date=December 8, 2011|last=Beck|first=Howard|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=February 27, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319173239/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/sports/basketball/paul-set-to-join-lakers-as-part-of-3-team-deal.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 14, 2011, the Hornets agreed to a deal with the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] that would send Paul to Los Angeles in exchange for [[Eric Gordon]], [[Chris Kaman]], [[Al-Farouq Aminu]], and a first-round draft pick acquired by the Clippers from a trade with the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] in 2004.

===2012–2019: the Anthony Davis era===

====2012–2013: beginning the Anthony Davis era====
On April 13, 2012, it was announced that [[Tom Benson]], owner of the [[National Football League]]'s [[New Orleans Saints]], had purchased the franchise from the NBA for $338 million.<ref name="BensonBuysHornets">{{cite news|title=Saints owner Benson buys Hornets from NBA|url=http://www.nba.com/2012/news/04/13/hornets-sale.ap/index.html|agency=[[Associated Press]]|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=April 13, 2012|access-date=September 8, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117214948/http://www.nba.com/2012/news/04/13/hornets-sale.ap/index.html|archive-date=November 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Jimmy|title=New Orleans Hornets to be purchased by New Orleans Saints' owner Tom Benson for $338 million|url=http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2012/04/new_orleans_hornets_to_be_purc.html|work=[[The Times-Picayune|New Orleans Times-Picayune]]|date=April 13, 2012|access-date=November 1, 2015|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215903/http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2012/04/new_orleans_hornets_to_be_purc.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, Benson announced that he would change the team name to something that would better suit the region, fueling rumors that the Hornets name could one day return to Charlotte, where the Charlotte Bobcats had been playing since 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwltv.com/sports/NBA-to-announce-All-Star-game-for-New-Orleans-147580715.html |title=Hornets seeking name change, set to build new practice facility |publisher=[[WWL-TV]] |date=April 16, 2012 |access-date=January 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110000329/http://www.wwltv.com/sports/NBA-to-announce-All-Star-game-for-New-Orleans-147580715.html |archive-date=January 10, 2014}}</ref> In June 2012, Benson appointed two senior Saints executives to supervise the Hornets: Saints' general manager [[Mickey Loomis]] became head of basketball operations, overseeing general manager [[Dell Demps]], and Saints' business operations head Dennis Lauscha took on the same role with the Hornets.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.nfl.com/news/mickey-loomis-takes-on-top-new-orleans-hornets-job-09000d5d829f23b5 | title= Mickey Loomis takes on top New Orleans Hornets job | agency= Associated Press | work= NFL.com | date= June 19, 2012 | access-date= October 3, 2012 | archive-date= June 22, 2012 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120622014724/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d829f23b5/article/mickey-loomis-takes-on-top-new-orleans-hornets-job | url-status= live}}</ref>

The Hornets traded [[Emeka Okafor]] and [[Trevor Ariza]] to the Wizards for [[Rashard Lewis]], whom they bought out, and a draft pick.

On May 30, 2012, the Hornets were awarded the first overall pick in the [[2012 NBA draft]] and subsequently drafted [[Anthony Davis]]. Some people believed that David Stern rigged the draft lottery to give the Hornets the first overall pick, citing a picture of Davis in a Hornets hat as evidence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manfred |first=Tony |title=Conspiracy Theorists Think This Picture Proves That The NBA Fixed The Draft Lottery |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/anthony-davis-hornets-hat-2012-5 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> They also drafted [[Austin Rivers]] with the tenth pick (acquired from the Clippers as part of the Chris Paul trade).

On July 11, 2012, [[Ryan Anderson (basketball, born 1988)|Ryan Anderson]], 2012's [[NBA Most Improved Player Award|Most Improved Player]] and three-point field goals leader, was acquired by the New Orleans Hornets in a sign-and-trade with the [[Orlando Magic]] for [[Gustavo Ayón]].

====2013–2015: Hornets to Pelicans====
[[File:Anthony Davis 12711093105.jpg|thumb|200px|Anthony Davis, seen here in 2014, was drafted first overall by the Pelicans in 2012 and subsequently became the focal point of the team for many years.]]
New owner Tom Benson had indicated early in his ownership that he wished to change the team's name to something more local, even preferring that the [[Utah Jazz]] – founded in [[New Orleans]] in 1974 and played there until 1979 – give up the "'''Jazz'''" name, but the Jazz indicated they had no interest in returning the name due to over 30 years of history associated with it. Benson had also heavily favored the names "Brass" and "Krewe".

However, on December 4, 2012, it was reported that the Hornets would change their name to the New Orleans Pelicans beginning with the 2013–14 season.<ref name="Moore">{{cite web |last=Moore |first=Matt |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/21264614/report-hornets-to-change-name-to-new-orleans-pelicans-in-2013-2014 |title=Report: Hornets to change name to New Orleans Pelicans in 2013-14 |publisher=CBSSports.com |date=June 11, 2008 |access-date=December 7, 2012 |archive-date=January 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118072219/http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/21264614/report-hornets-to-change-name-to-new-orleans-pelicans-in-2013-2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The team name is inspired by Louisiana's state bird, the [[brown pelican]].<ref name="List of Louisiana State symbols">{{cite web |url=http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/state/symbols.htm |title=List of Louisiana State symbols |publisher=Louisiana Division of Administration |access-date=January 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329163705/http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/state/symbols.htm |archive-date=March 29, 2013}}</ref>

The name "Pelicans" previously had been used by a [[New Orleans Pelicans (baseball)|minor-league baseball team]] that played in New Orleans from 1901 to 1957.<ref>{{cite news|last=Eichenhofer|first=Jim|title=Pelicans nickname has century-plus history in New Orleans|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-nickname-has-century-plus-history-new-orleans|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Pelicans.com|date=September 27, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2013|archive-date=October 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013040052/http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-nickname-has-century-plus-history-new-orleans|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hornets organization officially confirmed the name change in a press conference held on January 24, 2013, where officials unveiled the team's new logos and navy blue–gold–red color scheme.<ref name="LogosUnveiled" /> On April 18, 2013, after the end of the team's 2012–13 season, the team's name was officially changed to the Pelicans.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite press release|title=New Orleans Pelicans Officially Adopt New Namesake|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/new-orleans-pelicans-officially-adopt-new-namesake|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Pelicans.com|date=April 18, 2013|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-date=October 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024185804/http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/new-orleans-pelicans-officially-adopt-new-namesake|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the New Orleans franchise's 2013 disestablishment of the "Hornets" name, on May 21, 2013, the Charlotte Bobcats' owner [[Michael Jordan]] officially announced the organization had submitted an application to change the name of his franchise to the Charlotte Hornets for the [[2014–15 NBA season|2014–15 season]] pending a majority vote for approval by the NBA Board of Governors at a meeting in [[Las Vegas]], on July 18, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bobcats Sports & Entertainment Applies to Change Team's Name to Hornets|url=http://www.nba.com/hornets/bobcats-sports-entertainment-applies-change-teams-name-hornets|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hornets.com|date=May 21, 2013|access-date=May 21, 2013|archive-date=June 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606232003/http://www.nba.com/hornets/bobcats-sports-entertainment-applies-change-teams-name-hornets|url-status=live}}</ref> Then-NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO [[Adam Silver]] had previously pointed out that the league owns the rights to the name Hornets and that could speed up the process.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jordan: Bobcats changing name to Hornets|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/21/bobcats-change-name-to-hornets/index.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=May 21, 2013|access-date=May 21, 2013|archive-date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607135702/http://www.nba.com/2013/news/05/21/bobcats-change-name-to-hornets/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The NBA unanimously approved the name change starting with 2014–15.<ref>{{cite web|title=NBA approves Charlotte's name change|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/18/board-of-governors-name-change.ap/index.html|website=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|date=July 18, 2013|access-date=July 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507082412/http://www.nba.com/2013/news/07/18/board-of-governors-name-change.ap/index.html|archive-date=May 7, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On June 27, 2013, during the [[2013 NBA draft]], the Pelicans selected [[Nerlens Noel]] 6th overall, and traded him along with a 2014 protected first-round pick for [[NBA All-Star Game|All-Star]] point guard [[Jrue Holiday]] of the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] and the 42nd pick, [[Pierre Jackson]].<ref>{{cite web|author1=Keith Pompey|author2=Marc Narducci|title=Holiday-Noel trade becomes official|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/Holiday-Noel-trade-becomes-official.html|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=September 7, 2015|archive-date=June 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601042416/https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/sixers/Holiday-Noel-trade-becomes-official.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At a May 20, 2014, press conference announcing the Charlotte Bobcats' official team name change to Hornets, it was also announced that the Pelicans agreed to transfer the records and statistics of the original Hornets (1988–2002) to the current Charlotte franchise, thus unifying all of Charlotte's NBA basketball history under one franchise; the team records and statistics since the 2002 move to New Orleans would be retained by the Pelicans, retroactively turning the Pelicans into a 2002 [[expansion team]].<ref name="HornetsNameReturnsToCarolinas" /> As a result, the Hornets are considered in the league records as having suspended operations from 2002 to 2004, became the Bobcats from 2004 to 2014, and then the Hornets again.

====2015: return to the playoffs====
[[File:Alvin Gentry in 2015.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Alvin Gentry]] coached the team from 2015 to 2020]]
During the [[2014–15 NBA season|2014–15]], for the first time under the name Pelicans, the team qualified for the [[2015 NBA playoffs|NBA playoffs]] with a 45–37 record as the eighth seed in the Western Conference. They owned the tie-breaker over the [[2014–15 Oklahoma City Thunder season|Oklahoma City Thunder]] by winning the regular season head-to-head series, 3–1, and they faced the [[2014–15 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]] in the first round; the Warriors swept the Pelicans in four games. After the season, the Pelicans fired coach [[Monty Williams]].<ref>{{cite web|title=New Orleans Pelicans fire head coach Monty Williams|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/12872739/new-orleans-pelicans-fire-head-coach-monty-williams|website=espn.com|access-date=July 15, 2019|date=May 13, 2015|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715185008/https://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/12872739/new-orleans-pelicans-fire-head-coach-monty-williams|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 31, 2015, the Pelicans hired [[Alvin Gentry]] as the franchise's sixth head coach.<ref name="Gentry">{{cite news|title=New Orleans Pelicans Name Alvin Gentry Head Coach|url=http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/new-orleans-pelicans-name-alvin-gentry-head-coach|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Pelicans.com|date=May 31, 2015|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-date=June 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602183535/http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/new-orleans-pelicans-name-alvin-gentry-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pelicans missed the [[2016 NBA playoffs]], finishing with a 30–52 record. They acquired the 6th pick in the [[2016 NBA draft]] from the draft lottery and selected [[Buddy Hield]] from the [[University of Oklahoma]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NBA Draft 2016: Buddy Hield taken 6th by Pelicans|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/6/23/11856638/nba-draft-2016-results-buddy-hield-new-orleans-pelicans|website=sbnation.com|access-date=July 15, 2019|date=June 23, 2016|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715185001/https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/6/23/11856638/nba-draft-2016-results-buddy-hield-new-orleans-pelicans|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2017–2019: end of the Anthony Davis era====
On February 20, 2017, the Pelicans acquired [[DeMarcus Cousins]] in a trade with the [[Sacramento Kings]] when they traded Buddy Hield, [[Tyreke Evans]], [[Langston Galloway]], a 2017 first-round pick, and a 2017 second-round pick in exchange for Cousins and [[Omri Casspi]].

On February 1, 2018, the Pelicans acquired [[Nikola Mirotić]] in a trade with the [[Chicago Bulls]]. Though the trade went through, a previous trade for Mirotić to the Pelicans was called off when New Orleans did not want to pay for Mirotić's 2019 team option contract that Mirotić had signed with the Bulls during the off-season in 2017. The Pelicans received Mirotić and a 2018 second-round pick for veterans [[Ömer Aşık]], [[Jameer Nelson]], and [[Tony Allen (basketball)|Tony Allen]]. Mirotić demanded a trade when former teammate [[Bobby Portis]] punched Mirotić in the face during an off-season practice. At the time of the trade, Mirotić was the Bulls' leading scorer, and DeMarcus Cousins was injured. Mirotić played well for the Pelicans after the trade.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |title=Pelicans acquire Nikola Mirotic for three players, first-round pick |url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22287175/new-orleans-pelicans-acquire-nikola-mirotic-chicago-bulls |website=ESPN.com |access-date=August 31, 2018 |date=February 1, 2018 |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711121536/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22287175/new-orleans-pelicans-acquire-nikola-mirotic-chicago-bulls |url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 15, 2018, [[Tom Benson]] died from complications of the flu. Ownership of the Pelicans and the Saints were transferred to Benson's widow, [[Gayle Benson]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Tom Benson's will names Gayle Benson as sole beneficiary, leaves estranged family out|url=http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2018/03/tom_benson_will.html|access-date=March 22, 2018|work=The Times-Picayune|date=March 17, 2018|archive-date=March 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320131827/http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2018/03/tom_benson_will.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Pelicans clinched a playoff spot on April 9, 2018,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Meagher|first1=Sean|title=NBA playoff race: Pelicans clinch with win vs Clippers|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2018/04/nba_playoff_race_new_orleans_p.html|website=OregonLive.com|access-date=April 24, 2018|date=April 10, 2018|archive-date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425032144/http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2018/04/nba_playoff_race_new_orleans_p.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and finished with a 48–34 record. In the first round of the playoffs, they swept the [[2017–18 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland Trail Blazers]] in four games<ref>{{cite web|last1=Amick|first1=Sam|title=No. 6 seed Pelicans make NBA playoff history with first-round sweep of Trail Blazers|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/04/21/no-6-seed-pelicans-nba-playoff-history-first-round-sweep-trail-blazers/539641002/|website=USA TODAY|access-date=April 24, 2018|date=April 21, 2018|archive-date=April 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423210435/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/04/21/no-6-seed-pelicans-nba-playoff-history-first-round-sweep-trail-blazers/539641002/|url-status=live}}</ref> before losing to the [[2018 NBA Finals|eventual champion]] [[2017–18 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]] four games to one.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Meagher|first1=Sean|title=Golden State Warriors eliminate New Orleans Pelicans, advance to Western Conference finals|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2018/05/golden_state_warriors_vs_new_o_3.html|website=OregonLive.com|access-date=May 10, 2018|date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=May 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511081225/http://www.oregonlive.com/nba/index.ssf/2018/05/golden_state_warriors_vs_new_o_3.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2019, Davis demanded a trade from the franchise, and was fined for publicly announcing the request.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maloney |first1=Jack |title=Pelicans' Anthony Davis fined $50,000 for making trade demands public |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/pelicans-anthony-davis-fined-50000-for-making-trade-demands-public/ |website=ESPN.com |access-date=February 6, 2019 |date=January 29, 2019 |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020358/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/pelicans-anthony-davis-fined-50000-for-making-trade-demands-public/ |url-status=live}}</ref> On May 14, 2019, the Pelicans received the first overall pick at the [[NBA draft lottery]] of the [[2019 NBA draft]], despite having a six percent chance to win it.<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 NBA Draft Lottery Results |url=https://www.nba.com/draft/2019/draft-order |website=NBA.com |access-date=May 15, 2019 |date=May 14, 2019 |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515075648/https://www.nba.com/draft/2019/draft-order |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26748564|title=Winning Williamson: Pelicans land No. 1 pick|date=May 14, 2019|work=ESPN.com|access-date=May 15, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515051120/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26748564|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 15, 2019, the Pelicans agreed to trade Davis to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]]. In return, the Lakers agreed to send [[Lonzo Ball]], [[Brandon Ingram]], [[Josh Hart]] and three first-round picks, including the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, to the Pelicans.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pelicans Agree to Trade Anthony Davis to the Lakers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/15/sports/lakers-trade-anthony-davis.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=July 15, 2019|date=June 15, 2019|archive-date=July 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723065034/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/15/sports/lakers-trade-anthony-davis.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Pelicans later agreed to trade draft rights of the fourth overall pick of the 2019 NBA draft to the [[Atlanta Hawks]], receiving the draft rights to the eighth, 17th and 35th picks in the 2019 NBA draft.<ref>{{cite web|title=Report: Hawks trade up to get No. 4 pick; Pelicans get 8th, 17th and 35th picks|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/06/20/report-hawks-pelicans-trade-no-4-pick|website=NBA.com|access-date=July 15, 2019|date=June 20, 2019|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921104424/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/06/20/report-hawks-pelicans-trade-no-4-pick|url-status=live}}</ref> The three-way trade was completed on July 6, 2019, marking the end of an era for the Pelicans.<ref>{{cite web|title=Deals becoming real as NBA moratorium period ends|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/07/06/deals-become-real-nba-moratorium-period-ends|website=NBA.com|access-date=July 15, 2019|date=July 6, 2019|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715183151/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/07/06/deals-become-real-nba-moratorium-period-ends|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2019–present: the Zion Williamson era===
[[File:Zion Williamson 2020.jpg|thumb|[[Zion Williamson]] ]]
On April 17, 2019, the Pelicans named [[David Griffin (basketball)|David Griffin]] as the new executive vice president of basketball operations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pelicans name David Griffin Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-name-david-griffin-executive-vice-president-basketball-operations |website=NBA.com |access-date=April 17, 2019 |date=April 17, 2019 |archive-date=April 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417174942/https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-name-david-griffin-executive-vice-president-basketball-operations |url-status=live}}</ref> On May 19, 2019, the Pelicans named former [[Brooklyn Nets]] assistant general manager [[Trajan Langdon]] their newest general manager, replacing interim general manager [[Danny Ferry]].<ref name="Pelicans GM">{{cite web |title=Pelicans hire Trajan Langdon as General Manager |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-hire-trajan-langdon-general-manager |website=NBA.com |access-date=May 20, 2019 |date=May 19, 2019 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021143328/https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-hire-trajan-langdon-general-manager |url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 20, 2019, the Pelicans selected [[Zion Williamson]] with the first overall pick.<ref>{{cite news|last=Mahoney|first=Brian|title=Pelicans select Zion Williamson with No. 1 pick in Draft|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2019/06/20/pelicans-take-zion-williamson-no-1-pick-draft|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=June 20, 2019|access-date=January 7, 2020|archive-date=May 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506213342/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/06/20/pelicans-take-zion-williamson-no-1-pick-draft|url-status=live}}</ref> The team also drafted [[Alen Smailagić]] and [[Jordan Bone]], both of whom were immediately traded to the [[Golden State Warriors]] and [[Atlanta Hawks]], respectively. The Pelicans then received [[Jaxson Hayes]], [[Nickeil Alexander-Walker]] and [[Marcos Louzada Silva]] from the Hawks. On July 1, the Pelicans announced that they signed Williamson to his [[NBA salary cap#Rookie scale salary|rookie-scale contract]].<ref>{{cite web|title=It's official: Zion Williamson signs rookie contract with the Pelicans|url=https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans/article_757b74ac-9c43-11e9-af67-53f1a6e610c3.html|website=nola.com|access-date=July 15, 2019|date=July 1, 2019|archive-date=July 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715191306/https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans/article_757b74ac-9c43-11e9-af67-53f1a6e610c3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the Pelicans began the [[2019–20 NBA season|2019–20 season]] without Williamson as he had a knee surgery following an injury in the preseason.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27897494/zion-williamson-undergoes-knee-surgery-6-8-weeks |title=Zion Williamson undergoes knee surgery, out 6-8 weeks |website=ESPN |date=October 21, 2019 |access-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022175213/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27897494/zion-williamson-undergoes-knee-surgery-6-8-weeks |url-status=live}}</ref> He made his debut on January 22, 2020, scoring 22 points in 18 minutes of play.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28548279/pelicans-zion-williamson-feeling-fine-debut-alvin-gentry-says |title=Pelicans' Zion Williamson feeling fine after debut, Alvin Gentry says |website=[[ESPN]] |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=January 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124164836/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28548279/pelicans-zion-williamson-feeling-fine-debut-alvin-gentry-says |url-status=live}}</ref> On March 3, 2020, Williamson was named the [[NBA Rookie of the Month]] for the month of February. During the month, Williamson averaged 25.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steal a game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Zion Williamson named KIA NBA Western Conference rookie of the month for February|url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/zion-williamson-named-kia-nba-western-conference-rookie-month-february|website=nba.com|access-date=June 24, 2020|date=March 3, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111073746/https://www.nba.com/pelicans/zion-williamson-named-kia-nba-western-conference-rookie-month-february|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Brandon Ingram]] had a breakout season. On December 30, 2019, Ingram was named the [[Western Conference (NBA)|Western Conference]] Player of the Week for games played between December 23 to 29. During the week, Ingram averaged 25.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 54.2 percent from three-point range. Ingram helped the Pelicans to a 4–0 week as a result.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/brandon-ingram-named-western-conference-player-week |title=Brandon Ingram named the Western Conference Player of the Week |website=nba.com |date=December 30, 2019 |access-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-date=December 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231132941/https://www.nba.com/pelicans/brandon-ingram-named-western-conference-player-week |url-status=live}}</ref> On January 16, 2020, Ingram recorded a career-high by scoring 49 points in a 138–132 overtime win against the [[Utah Jazz]]. Ingram gave the Pelicans a one-point lead with a fadeaway jumper with 0.2 seconds remaining in regulation. This was before [[Rudy Gobert]] was fouled and subsequently sent the game to overtime with a [[free throw]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2020/01/17/pelicans-brandon-ingram-career-high-points |title=Pelicans F Brandon Ingram Scores Career-High 49 Points in Win Over Jazz |website=si.com |date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804190047/https://www.si.com/.amp/nba/2020/01/17/pelicans-brandon-ingram-career-high-points |url-status=live}}</ref> Because of his breakout season, Ingram became an [[NBA All-Star]] for the first time in his career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/brandon-ingram-named-reserve-2020-nba-all-star-game |title=Brandon Ingram named reserve for 2020 NBA All-Star Game |website=nba.com |date=January 30, 2020 |access-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626143349/https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/brandon-ingram-named-reserve-2020-nba-all-star-game |url-status=live}}</ref> Ingram also won the 2020 Most Improved Player award.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pelicans' Brandon Ingram named 2019-20 Kia Most Improved Player |url=https://www.nba.com/news/pelicansbrandon-ingram-2020-kia-most-improved-player |website=NBA.com |access-date=September 29, 2022 |date=August 31, 2020 |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506121407/https://www.nba.com/news/pelicansbrandon-ingram-2020-kia-most-improved-player |url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the [[suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season]], the Pelicans were one of the 22 teams invited to the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]] to participate in the final eight games of the regular season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NBA Board of Governors approves competitive format to restart 2019-20 season with 22 teams returning to play|url=https://www.nba.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release|access-date=February 21, 2021|website=www.nba.com|archive-date=October 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022021825/https://www.nba.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 9, 2020, the Pelicans were eliminated from postseason contention when the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] defeated the [[Philadelphia 76ers]].

In a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers, the Pelicans landed 2015-16 Most Improved Player [[CJ McCollum]] as well as [[Larry Nance Jr.]] and [[Tony Snell (basketball)|Tony Snell]] in exchange for [[Josh Hart]], [[Nickeil Alexander-Walker]], [[Tomáš Satoranský]], [[Didi Louzada]], a protected 2022 first-round draft pick, the better of New Orleans' and Portland's 2026 second-round draft picks and New Orleans' 2027 second-round draft pick.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-08 |title=Blazers send McCollum to Pels in 7-player deal |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/33244215/sources-portland-trail-blazers-sending-cj-mccollum-new-orleans-pelicans-part-trade |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Despite Williamson missing the entire season with a right foot fracture,<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 24, 2022 |title=NBA playoffs: Injury updates on Steph Curry, Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis and more |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33579571/nba-playoffs-injury-updates-steph-curry-zion-williamson-anthony-davis-more |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=ESPN |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416074807/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33579571/nba-playoffs-injury-updates-steph-curry-zion-williamson-anthony-davis-more |url-status=live}}</ref> the Pelicans finished the [[2021–22 NBA season]] with a 36–46 record, which earned them the ninth-place position in the Western Conference and a chance to make the playoffs through the [[NBA Play-In Tournament|play-in tournament.]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2022 |title=NBA Standings 2021-22 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/standings/_/season/2022 |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=ESPN |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416074807/https://www.espn.com/nba/standings/_/season/2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> On April 13, 2022, the Pelicans defeated the tenth-place [[San Antonio Spurs]] 113–103 at home in the first round of the play-in<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owens |first=Jason |date=April 14, 2022 |title=NBA play-in: CJ McCollum, Pelicans send Spurs, Gregg Popovich packing |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/cj-mc-collum-pelicans-send-gregg-popovichs-spurs-packing-041557340.html |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=Yahoo! Sports |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414235908/https://sports.yahoo.com/cj-mc-collum-pelicans-send-gregg-popovichs-spurs-packing-041557340.html |url-status=live}}</ref> and two days later defeated the eighth-place [[Los Angeles Clippers]] 105–101 on the road in the second round of the play-in<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maloney |first=Jack |date=April 16, 2022 |title=Clippers vs. Pelicans score, takeaways: Brandon Ingram leads New Orleans to win over L.A. to clinch No. 8 seed |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/clippers-vs-pelicans-score-takeaways-brandon-ingram-leads-new-orleans-to-win-over-l-a-to-clinch-no-8-seed/live/ |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=CBS Sports |archive-date=April 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416062054/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/clippers-vs-pelicans-score-takeaways-brandon-ingram-leads-new-orleans-to-win-over-l-a-to-clinch-no-8-seed/live/ |url-status=live}}</ref> to clinch the eighth seed and New Orleans' first playoff berth since 2018.

The Pelicans selected Dyson Daniels with the 8th overall pick in the 2022 draft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Photos: Dyson Daniels {{!}} Meet the Pelicans 2022 NBA Draft Picks |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/photos/dyson-daniels-pelicans-2022-nba-draft-picks |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> Zion would be selected for his second All-Star game despite only playing 29 games.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guillory |first=William |title=Zion Williamson says potential playoff return 'realistic' despite 'demoralizing' hamstring injury |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5440983/2024/04/24/zion-williamson-playoff-return-hamstring-injury/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Other Pelicans players would also deal with injury but they would make the play-in for the second time in a row and would not advance to the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 Play-In Tournament |url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2023/play-in-tournament |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=NBA.com}}</ref>

For the first time since his second season, [[Zion Williamson]] would stay healthy for a majority of the regular season, playing 70 games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zion Williamson {{!}} 2023-24 NBA Season in Review |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/zion-williamson-2023-2024-nba-season-in-review |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> 2022 draft second round pickup Herb Jones<ref>{{Cite web |title=Herbert Jones selected to participate in 2022 All-Star Clorox Rising Stars |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/herbert-jones-makes-rising-stars-2021-22 |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> would make the All-Defensive First Team as the fourth Pelican to do so.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA First-Team All-Defense honor puts Herb Jones in unique territory within New Orleans franchise history |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/herb-jones-nba-first-team-all-defense-honor-new-orleans-franchise-history |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> The Pelicans finished 49–33, just shy of 50 wins and advanced to the play-in for the third year in a row.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament|url=https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2024/play-in-tournament |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> Zion Williamson dropped 40 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a loss to the Lakers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lakers 110, Pelicans 106: Zion Williamson 40 points|url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/lakers-110-pelicans-106-zion-williamson-40-points-play-in-postgame-wrap |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> In that game, Zion got injured, ending his season. Despite not having Williamson, the Pelicans beat the Kings and advanced to the playoffs where they would get swept by the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA Playoffs: OKC Thunder Full Second Round Schedule Released |url=https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/okc-thunder-playoffs-mavericks-clippers-full-schedule-7 |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=SI.com |date=2024-05-03}}</ref>

====2024–present: Acquisition of Dejounte Murray and departure of Brandon Ingram====
In the 2024 off-season, a blockbuster trade sent 2022 All-Star [[Dejounte Murray]] to the Pelicans in exchange for 2022 lottery pick [[Dyson Daniels]] to the [[Atlanta Hawks]] along with [[Larry Nance Jr.]], [[E. J. Liddell|E.J Liddell]], [[Cody Zeller]] and some future draft picks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pelicans acquire Dejounte Murray |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/dejounte-murray-guard-new-orleans-pelicans-trade-atlanta-hawks-2024-nba-free-agency |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=NBA.com}}</ref>

On February 6, 2025, [[Brandon Ingram]] was traded to the [[Toronto Raptors]] in exchange for guard-forward [[Bruce Brown (basketball)|Bruce Brown]], center [[Kelly Olynyk]], a 2026 first-round draft pick (via Indiana) and a 2031 second-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/raptors/news/raptors-acquire-ingram-from-new-orleans|title=RAPTORS ACQUIRE INGRAM FROM NEW ORLEANS|work=NBA.com|date=February 6, 2025}}</ref> On March 10, NBA and Australia's [[National Basketball League (Australia)|National Basketball League]] (NBL) announced that in October 2025, the Pelicans would play two preseason games at [[Rod Laver Arena]] in [[Melbourne]] as part of the [[NBA x NBL: Melbourne Series]].<ref>{{cite web |title=New Orleans Pelicans to play two NBL teams in first NBA games in Australia this October |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/2025-2026-nba-preseason-nbl-nba-games-australia-october-melbourne-united-south-east-melbourne-phoenix |website=NBA.com |access-date=March 23, 2025 |date=March 10, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pelicans to play NBL teams in Australia |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/pelicans-to-play-nbl-teams-in-australia |website=NBL.com.au |access-date=March 11, 2025 |language=en-AU |date=March 11, 2025}}</ref>