Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to another episode of New Orleans.Basketball! I'm your host Raphael Rattler, joined by my brother Garrick "G-Money" Rattler, breaking down everything happening with the New Orleans Pelicans.

We also rank the 10 biggest player and coaching developments that could determine whether the Pelicans take a major step forward during the 2026 NBA season.

Do you think Zion Williamson is the biggest X-factor this season, or is another Pelicans player more important to the team's success?

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

————————————————————————Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok: @nobasktball (No "E")👍 Like the video🔔 Subscribe for weekly Pelicans coverage, NBA analysis, trade discussions, game breakdowns, and offseason updates.

#Pelicans #NewOrleansPelicans #NBA #ZionWilliamson #DerikQueen #JeremiahFears #TreyMurphy #HerbJones #JordanPoole #JamahlMosley #NBAPodcast #PelicansPodcast

Send us Fan Mail

The New Orleans Pelicans are betting on themselves heading into the 2026 NBA season, but what does success actually look like?

On this episode of New Orleans.Basketball, Raphael Rattler and Garrick “G-Money” Rattler break down the biggest storylines surrounding the Pelicans, including why Trey Murphy is still on the roster, what we learned from NBA Summer League, and who faces the most pressure entering the season.

We also debate whether making the Play-In Tournament would be considered a successful season, how much pressure is on Zion Williamson to prove he’s “the guy,” and whether rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen can change the franchise’s long-term outlook.

Topics Discussed:

🏀 Trey Murphy remains with the Pelicans
🏀 Pelicans Summer League takeaways
🏀 What defines a successful 2026 season?
🏀 Is making the Play-In enough?
🏀 Can Zion Williamson finally lead a winning team?
🏀 Ranking the five people under the most pressure
🏀 Joe Dumars & Troy Weaver’s roster-building strategy
🏀 Extension candidates

Do you think the Pelicans should prioritize winning now, or developing Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen for the future? Let us know in the comments!

👍 Like the video if you enjoyed it.
🔔 Subscribe for weekly New Orleans Pelicans analysis, NBA news, trade discussions, film breakdowns, and live reactions.

Follow us everywhere:
🐦 Twitter/X: @nobasktball
📸 Instagram: @nobasktball
🎵 TikTok: @nobasktball
(No “E” in Basketball!)

#Pelicans #NewOrleansPelicans #ZionWilliamson #TreyMurphy #NBASummerLeague #NBA #JeremiahFears #DerikQueen #JoeDumars #JamahlMoseley

Send us Fan Mail

he New Orleans Pelicans have taken a much more cautious approach this offseason—but is that the right strategy after a 26-56 season?

In this episode, Raphael Rattler and Garrick “G-Money” Rattler discuss why Joe Dumars may be choosing patience over blockbuster moves, whether the Pelicans should still pursue a center upgrade, and which players they’re most excited to watch during NBA Summer League.

🏀 In this episode:

• Why the Pelicans have stayed quiet this offseason
• Is New Orleans making the right decision by competing instead of rebuilding?
• Why the Pelicans are rarely a free-agent destination
• Could waiting until the trade deadline be the smarter move?
• Which Pelicans veterans could still be moved?

👇 Join the conversation!

Would you trade for Walker Kessler?
Should the Pelicans make another move before the season?
Who are you most excited to watch in Summer League?

⸻

Follow New Orleans.Basketball

🐦 Twitter/X: @nobasktball
📸 Instagram: @nobasktball
🎵 TikTok: @nobasktball

Send us Fan Mail

The 2026 NBA Draft is almost here, and the New Orleans Pelicans have some major decisions to make.

Raphael Rattler and Garrick “G-Money” Rattler break down the Pelicans’ biggest roster needs, discuss whether Joe Dumars should trade into the first round, and highlight a few intriguing second-round prospects who could fit the team’s vision moving forward.

We also discuss what the New York Knicks’ championship run means for the rest of the NBA, why two-way players are more important than ever, and what teams like the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama can learn from the Knicks’ success.

🏀 Topics Covered:

• What the Knicks’ title run teaches the NBA
• How Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs should respond
• Why two-way players matter more than ever
• Brandon Demas named Laketown Squadron Head Coach
• God Shammgod named Pelicans Summer League Head Coach

Big Questions:

• Do the Pelicans need a floor-spacing center?
• Is there room for a traditional backup big?
• Can Jordan Hawkins become the movement shooter they need?
• Is Bryce McGowens developing into a 3-and-D wing?
• Who becomes the emergency third ball handler?

NBA DRAFT TALK

• Should the Pelicans trade into the first round?
• Why moving into the lottery likely doesn’t make sense
• Potential costs of acquiring a first-round pick
• Why late first-round and early second-round targets may be more realistic
• Second-round prospects to watch:

* Trevon Brazile (Arkansas)
* Bryce Hopkins (St. John’s)

👇 Let us know in the comments:

What is the Pelicans’ biggest roster need?
Should Joe Dumars trade into the first round?
Which prospect do you want New Orleans to target?

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Follow New Orleans.Basketball

🐦 Twitter/X: @nobasktball
📸 Instagram: @nobasktball
🎵 TikTok: @nobasktball

Like 👍
Subscribe 🔔
Share 🏀

#Pelicans #NewOrleansPelicans #NBADraft #JoeDumars #JamahlMosley #ZionWilliamson #TreyMurphy #JeremiahFears #DerikQueen #NBA #NBATradeRumors #PelicansNews #YvesMissi #HerbJones

Send us Fan Mail

The New Orleans Pelicans have officially entered a new era.

Joe Dumars and Jamahl Mosley have spoken, and now attention shifts to the biggest question facing the franchise: What comes next for the roster?

Raphael Rattler and Garrick “G-Money” Rattler break down the Pelicans’ most realistic trade assets, discuss whether Trey Murphy should be considered untouchable, and debate if New Orleans is closer to a playoff push or a full rebuild.


 Drop your thoughts in the comments:

Would you trade Trey Murphy?
What would it take for you to move him?
Are the Pelicans closer to the playoffs or another rebuild?

⸻

Follow New Orleans.Basketball

🐦 Twitter/X: @nobasktball
📸 Instagram: @nobasktball
🎵 TikTok: @nobasktball

Like 👍
Subscribe 🔔
Share 🏀

#Pelicans #NewOrleansPelicans #TreyMurphy #ZionWilliamson #JoeDumars #JamahlMosley #NBA #NBATradeRumors #PelicansNews #JeremiahFears #DerikQueen #JordanPoole #HerbJones #YvesMissi #SaddiqBey

Send us Fan Mail

Joe Dumars makes his first major hire as the lead basketball executive for the New Orleans Pelicans:

➡️ Jamahl Mosley

After building the Orlando Magic into one of the NBA’s top defensive teams and developing stars like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, Mosley now takes over a Pelicans roster built around:

* Zion Williamson
* Dejounte Murray
* Trey Murphy
* Jeremiah Fears
* Derik Queen
* Yves Missi
* Saddiq Bey

But is this the perfect hire for New Orleans… or are there red flags Pelicans fans should be concerned about?

📲 Follow us on Twitter, IG & TikTok: @nobasktball (no E)
👍 Like the episode
🔔 Subscribe to the channel for Pelicans coverage all offseason long

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back to NewOrleans.Basketball, your go-to source for New Orleans Pelicans news, coaching updates, and NBA analysis.

Hosted by Raphael Rattler and Garrick “G-Money” Rattler, we break down the latest Pelicans coaching search, key candidates, and what the 2026 NBA Playoffs are teaching teams like New Orleans.

📲 Follow us on Twitter, IG & TikTok: @nobasktball (no E)
👍 Like the episode & 🔔 Subscribe for more Pelicans content

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back to NewOrleans.Basketball, your home for detailed New Orleans Pelicans analysis, roster breakdowns, and NBA talk.

Hosted by Raphael Rattler and Garrick “G-Money” Rattler, we break down everything from the Pelicans end-of-season press conference, to Zion Williamson’s accountability, Joe Dumars’ vision, and what’s next for the franchise heading into the offseason.

📲 Follow us on Twitter, IG & TikTok: @nobasktball (no E)
👍 Like the episode & 🔔 Subscribe for Pelicans content all offseason long

#Pelicans #ZionWilliamson #NewOrleansPelicans #NBAPodcast #JoeDumars #JamesBorrego #DerikQueen #JeremiahFears #TreyMurphy #NBAPlayoffs #PelicansBasketball

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back to NewOrleans.Basketball, your go-to source for real New Orleans Pelicans analysis, roster breakdowns, and NBA discussion.

Hosted by Raphael Rattler and Garrick “G-Money” Rattler, we break down what’s happening with the Pelicans as the season winds down.

📲 Follow us on Twitter, IG & TikTok: @nobasktball (no E)
👍 Like the episode & 🔔 Subscribe for more Pelicans content

#Pelicans #ZionWilliamson #NewOrleansPelicans #NBAPodcast #DerikQueen #JeremiahFears #TreyMurphy #JamesBorrego #PelicansBasketball #NBAAnalysis

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back to New Orleans.Basketball, your home for detailed New Orleans Pelicans analysis, roster breakdowns, and NBA discussion.

Hosted by Raphael Rattler alongside Garrick “G-Money” Rattler, we break down everything happening with the Pelicans as the season winds down.

📲 Follow us on Twitter, Instagram & TikTok: @nobasktball (no “E”)
👍 Like the episode and subscribe for more Pelicans content.

Key Topics in This Episode

1️⃣ What to Watch in the Final 16 Games

With 8 home games and 8 road games, plus three back-to-backs, we’re watching:

• Can Dejounte Murray unlock the Pelicans’ fast break offense?
• Will the defense show more accountability vs playoff teams?
• What does the rotation look like moving forward?
• Are DeAndre Jordan’s minutes more valuable than Karlo Matkovic’s development?

⸻

2️⃣ What We’ve Learned About Borrego’s Lineups

James Borrego has hinted that tough rotation decisions are coming now that the roster is healthier.

Current lineup trends:

• Yves Missi should start at center
• Herb Jones may become a matchup-based starter
• Saddiq Bey’s impact keeps growing
• The rookies may be best used off the bench
• Karlo Matkovic remains the only shooting big on the roster

⸻

3️⃣ The Pelicans’ Hierarchy Problem

Borrego recently mentioned that the team hasn’t fully defined its on-court hierarchy.

Our thoughts:

• Zion Williamson must be the focal point of the offense
• Zion’s motor and consistency must improve
• Dejounte Murray should elevate everyone around him
• Trey Murphy has All-Star upside as a play finisher
• The rookies are developing but not ready to lead yet

⸻

4️⃣ Offseason Changes We’d Consider

Beyond internal development, we discuss potential offseason changes:

• Uniform redesign ideas (Tulane, LSU & Saints comparisons)
• Whether James Borrego deserves the permanent head coaching job
• Why Jordan Poole’s $32M contract might not fit the future

⸻

Pelicans Fans — What Do You Think?

Should the Pelicans keep building around Zion, or is a bigger roster shake-up coming?

Drop your thoughts in the comments.

⸻

📺 Subscribe for more Pelicans coverage all season long.

⸻

Hashtags

#Pelicans #NewOrleansPelicans #ZionWilliamson #NBADraft #DejounteMurray #TreyMurphy #JamesBorrego #NBA #PelicansBasketball #NBAPodcast