EXCUSES: Are the New Orleans Pelicans Ready to BREAK UP the Zion Williamson Core This Season?

New Orleans Pelicans face a make-or-break moment as trade deadline questions loom large—when do the excuses finally end? Jake Madison scrutinizes the team’s ongoing struggles in the Zion Williamson era, despite public ambitions of chasing an NBA title. Is it time for the Pelicans to become trade deadline sellers if they remain stuck in mediocrity, or do lingering injuries and coaching changes keep providing cover?   Summer League spotlight shifts to small guard standouts like Dominique Daniels Jr. and Markquis Nowell, while Malik Dia’s relentless rebounding could address a key roster need. Jake Madison also reacts to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s bold, non-basketball trade of Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks for cap relief—a cautionary tale in the NBA’s new “apron era.” With contract flexibility more valuable than ever, will New Orleans seize upcoming opportunities or risk another wasted year?   Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-pelicans/   Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/nba #NewOrleansPelicans #ZionWilliamson #NBA #pelicans     Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.     Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.