The 2025 NBA Draft Lottery is less than two weeks away, and for the New Orleans Pelicans, it might be the single most important event in franchise history. After one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory, the Pelicans are hoping that their misery might finally pay off — with the chance to draft Cooper Flagg, the most hyped NBA prospect in years.
And if that happens? It could change everything — not just for the roster, but for the entire direction of the franchise.
The Pelicans’ 2024–25 Season Was a Disaster
To say the 2024–25 season didn’t go according to plan for New Orleans would be an understatement. They ended the year with a 21–61 record — technically not the worst in the league, but considering the expectations, no team fell harder. Only the Hornets, Wizards, and Jazz finished below them in the standings.
Coming into the season, optimism was sky-high. Zion Williamson was coming off the healthiest season of his career, having played 70 games the year before. He had trimmed down over the offseason and looked primed for dominance. The team also made a major move to trade for Dejounte Murray, finally securing a reliable point guard to lead the offense.
With that momentum, expectations were clear: make the playoffs and possibly compete in the West.
Instead, injuries derailed the team early, and nothing ever got back on track. The front office made some moves at the trade deadline — dealing away Brandon Ingram and Daniel Theis — but kept most of the roster intact. Still, the season felt like a complete failure.
But here’s the thing: all of that disappointment could be forgiven if it leads to one result — landing the number one pick and drafting Cooper Flagg.
Why Cooper Flagg Is a Franchise-Changer
If New Orleans wins the lottery, they’ll almost certainly use the top pick on Cooper Flagg, who’s widely seen as the best NBA prospect since LeBron James. Flagg is a 6’9” forward with elite two-way potential — he can score, defend, rebound, and make plays for others. He’s not just a top prospect; he’s a potential cornerstone that you can build a championship team around.
And that’s where things get interesting for the Pelicans. Because drafting Cooper Flagg wouldn’t just be a big move — it would force the organization to make major decisions about the rest of the roster.
Time to Tear It Down?
Earlier this season, reports surfaced that the Pelicans were open to shaking up the roster. Nearly every player — except for a few young pieces like Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Yves Missi, and Jordan Hawkins — was made available in trade talks.
If New Orleans lands Cooper Flagg, it might be time to take that idea even further. Instead of trying to plug him into the current core, the Pelicans could start fresh and build the future entirely around Flagg.
There’s a real overlap here. Cooper Flagg is most likely to play power forward in the NBA — and that just so happens to be the same spot as Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones. There isn’t room for all of them to thrive, especially if Flagg is expected to be the face of the franchise from day one.
The Case for a Full Rebuild Around Cooper Flagg
Some might argue that the Pelicans could simply trade Zion and keep the rest of the core intact. That’s possible. But a more forward-thinking approach might be to do a full teardown and commit to a rebuild around Flagg and a new generation of talent.
Here’s why that makes sense:
- Trey Murphy III will be 25 this summer.
- Herb Jones will be 27 by next season’s tip-off.
- Both are excellent players, but they don’t align perfectly with Flagg’s developmental timeline.
If you keep Murphy and Jones, you risk being good enough to avoid high lottery picks, but not quite good enough to contend. That’s a dangerous place to be. Instead, New Orleans could trade them — along with veterans like CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, and Zion — for draft picks and young players who better match Flagg’s window.
Trading those players would also clear significant salary space and give the Pelicans flexibility as they rebuild around Flagg.
A New Era With a New Front Office
Don’t forget: the Pelicans recently made changes in their front office. A new regime often means a new vision. If they get the chance to start over with a generational prospect like Cooper Flagg, they might be eager to wipe the slate clean and put their stamp on the franchise.
It’s not guaranteed that the front office will go all-in on a rebuild — some might be tempted to “retool” and aim for a quick return to the playoffs. But with a player like Flagg, patience could pay off in a much bigger way.
What’s at Stake
This draft lottery is massive for the Pelicans. They’ve been stuck in NBA limbo for years — good enough to stay competitive, but never quite healthy or cohesive enough to make real noise in the playoffs.
Landing Cooper Flagg could be the reset button they desperately need.
It’s not just about talent. It’s about hope. Flagg would give the franchise a clear identity, something they haven’t truly had since drafting Anthony Davis over a decade ago. And unlike Zion — who’s had incredible highs but has struggled with injuries and consistency — Flagg projects as a more complete, versatile, and durable superstar.
Final Thoughts
The 2024–25 season was brutal for the New Orleans Pelicans — there’s no sugarcoating that. But if it ends with the team securing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, it might all be worth it. Because landing Cooper Flagg wouldn’t just be a silver lining — it would be a complete game-changer.
If that happens, don’t be surprised if the Pelicans blow it all up and start fresh. With Flagg as the new face of the franchise, a rebuild wouldn’t be a step back — it would be a leap forward.