The New Orleans Pelicans are still near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. At 20–45, their season has largely been defined by injuries and inconsistency.
However, one development could have major long-term implications. Zion Williamson has now played 33 straight games, helping New Orleans stabilize just enough to slightly climb the standings.
That subtle improvement may matter far more than it appears, let us take a look at the unfolding situation.
Zion Williamson’s durability changes the Pelicans’ outlook
The Pelicans owe an unprotected first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks. Because it is unprotected, Atlanta will receive the pick no matter where it lands in the draft order.
Earlier in the season, New Orleans looked like a strong candidate to finish among the three worst teams in the league. That scenario would have given the Hawks access to a pick with maximum lottery odds.
Instead, Zion’s extended stretch of availability has helped the Pelicans win just enough games to move slightly away from the NBA’s absolute basement. Those wins may not change the narrative of the season, but they could dramatically affect the value of the pick heading to Atlanta.
Even a small movement in the standings can lower the expected value of a lottery selection in this constellation.
The 2026 NBA Draft class makes every inch important
That movement becomes even more important considering the strength of the upcoming draft. Many evaluators view the 2026 class as one of the deeper groups in recent memory.
Elite prospects such as AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer headline a group filled with high-end talent. In a class like that, every inch in the standings can make a massive difference.
The gap between a top-three pick and a mid-lottery selection could determine whether a team lands a potential franchise cornerstone or simply a solid rotation piece.
That reality makes the Pelicans’ late-season wins far more significant than they might appear at first glance.
The Atlanta Hawks still benefit but Pelicans can avoid worst outcome
The Hawks will still receive a lottery pick from New Orleans. That outcome is unavoidable because the pick was traded unprotected.
However, Zion’s durability may have helped prevent the worst-case scenario. Earlier in the season, the Pelicans were trending toward giving Atlanta one of the most valuable picks in the entire draft.
That would have been especially painful considering how strong the upcoming class appears to be. Had the Pelicans finished with one of the league’s worst records, they themselves could have been positioned to draft one of the class’s elite prospects.
Instead, that opportunity now belongs to Atlanta because of the earlier trade. The Pelicans’ season will still go down as a disappointment.