The Pelicans aren’t playing for much the rest of the season, currently 16–42 and 14th place in the Western Conference. New Orleans owes its unprotected first-round pick to the Hawks after the draft-day trade for standout rookie big man Derik Queen, so the Pelicans aren’t even playing for lottery positioning this year.
A bright spot in an otherwise forgettable year will come for New Orleans this week, however, with Dejounte Murray’s expected return Tuesday against the Warriors. Murray hasn’t played in 13 months as he’s recovered from a torn right Achillies. The injury came in his first season with New Orleans after he was traded by the Hawks.
