2019–20 New Orleans Pelicans season

The 2019–20 New Orleans Pelicans season was the 18th season of the New Orleans Pelicans franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On April 17, 2019, the Pelicans named David Griffin the executive vice president of basketball operations.[1] On May 14, the Pelicans won the top draft choice, making it the second time in franchise history they won the lottery. Five days later, the Pelicans named former Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager Trajan Langdon their newest general manager, replacing interim general manager Danny Ferry.[2]

2019–20 New Orleans Pelicans season
Head coach	Alvin Gentry
General manager	Trajan Langdon
Owners	Gayle Benson
Arena	Smoothie King Center
Results
Record	30–42 (.417)
Place	Division: 5th (Southwest) Conference: 13th (Western)
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television	Fox Sports New Orleans
Radio	WWL-FM

This was the first season since 2011-12 that long-time power forward Anthony Davis was not on the roster, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, 3 future first round draft picks, and the right to swap first round picks with the Lakers in 2023, on June 15, 2019. With the Lakers, Davis, along with LeBron James would go on to lead the Lakers to their 17th championship title and the franchise's first in the post-Kobe Bryant era. Five days trading Davis, on June 20, the Pelicans selected Duke phenom Zion Williamson first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, and due to an injury, he wouldn't play his first professional game until January 23, 2020, where in a game vs the San Antonio Spurs, he had dropped 22 points in just 18 minutes during the 4th quarter.[3][4]

The season was suspended by the league officials following the games of March 11[5] after it was reported that Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. On June 4, the Pelicans were named as one of the 22 teams heading to the NBA Bubble at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the continuation of the NBA season. [6][7]

Draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College / Club
1	1	Zion Williamson	PF	United States	Duke
2	57	Jordan Bone	PG	United States	Tennessee

The Pelicans will hold the first pick in the draft this year due to them winning the NBA draft lottery, along with two second-round draft picks.[8] On June 15, the Pelicans agreed to a trade involving star forward/center Anthony Davis where, in exchange for a few of the Los Angeles Lakers' young, promising players, they also acquired a multitude of first-round draft picks, one of which includes the fourth selection of this year's draft. However, the trade was not be finalized until July 6.[9] On the night of the draft, the Pelicans agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Hawks, where they would give up the Lakers' fourth pick of the draft (which became De'Andre Hunter from the University of Virginia), their 57th pick, a future second-round pick, and Solomon Hill in exchange for Picks 8, 17, and 35. Just like their trade with the Lakers, however, this trade wasn't finalized until July 6.[10]

With the #1 of the draft, New Orleans selected star power forward Zion Williamson from Duke University. In his only season in Duke, Williamson earned many honors and awards for his play, including the consensus National College Player of the Year. With the 39th pick, the Pelicans acquired Serbian power forward Alen Smailagić from the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League, but traded him to the Golden State Warriors for two future second-round picks and cash considerations.[11] With the 57th pick, the Pelicans selected point guard Jordan Bone from the University of Tennessee. He would end up being traded to the Detroit Pistons after multiple trades.

Roster

Roster listing

2019–20 New Orleans Pelicans roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY-MM-DD) From G 0 Alexander-Walker, Nickeil 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1998–09–02 Virginia Tech G 2 Ball, Lonzo 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997–10–27 UCLA F 45 Cheatham, Zylan (TW) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1995–11–17 Arizona State F/C 22 Favors, Derrick 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1991–07–15 Georgia Tech G 5 Gray, Josh (TW) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1993–09–09 LSU G 3 Hart, Josh 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1995–03–06 Villanova F/C 10 Hayes, Jaxson 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2000–05–23 Texas G 11 Holiday, Jrue 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1990–06–12 UCLA F 14 Ingram, Brandon 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997–09–02 Duke G 15 Jackson, Frank 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1998–05–04 Duke F 20 Melli, Nicolò 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 236 lb (107 kg) 1991–01–26 Italy F 21 Miller, Darius  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1990–03–21 Kentucky G 55 Moore, E'Twaun 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 1989–02–25 Purdue C 9 Okafor, Jahlil 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 270 lb (122 kg) 1995–12–15 Duke G 4 Redick, JJ 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1984–06–24 Duke G 12 Thornwell, Sindarius 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1994–11–15 South Carolina G/F 34 Williams, Kenrich 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1994–12–02 TCU F 1 Williamson, Zion 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 284 lb (129 kg) 2000–07–06 Duke	Head coach Alvin Gentry Assistant coach(es) Jeff Bzdelik (Associate HC) Chris Finch (Associate HC) Jamelle McMillan Fred Vinson Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended (GL) On assignment to G League (TW) Two-way affiliate player Injured Roster Last transaction: 2020–01–30

Standings

Division

Southwest Division	W	L	PCT	GB	Home	Road	Div	GP
y – Houston Rockets	44	28	.611	0.0	24–12	20–16	8–5	72
x – Dallas Mavericks	43	32	.573	2.5	20–18	23–14	10–4	75
Memphis Grizzlies	34	39	.466	10.5	20–17	14–22	4–9	73
San Antonio Spurs	32	39	.451	11.5	19–15	13–24	7–6	71
New Orleans Pelicans	30	42	.417	14.0	15–21	15–21	4–9	72

Conference

Western Conference
#	Team	W	L	PCT	GB	GP
1	c – Los Angeles Lakers *	52	19	.732	–	71
2	x – Los Angeles Clippers	49	23	.681	3.5	72
3	y – Denver Nuggets *	46	27	.630	7.0	73
4	y – Houston Rockets *	44	28	.611	8.5	72
5	x – Oklahoma City Thunder	44	28	.611	8.5	72
6	x – Utah Jazz	44	28	.611	8.5	72
7	x – Dallas Mavericks	43	32	.573	11.0	75
8	x – Portland Trail Blazers	35	39	.473	18.5	74
9	Memphis Grizzlies	34	39	.466	19.0	73
10	Phoenix Suns	34	39	.466	19.0	73
11	San Antonio Spurs	32	39	.451	20.0	71
12	Sacramento Kings	31	41	.431	21.5	72
13	New Orleans Pelicans	30	42	.417	22.5	72
14	Minnesota Timberwolves	19	45	.297	29.5	64
15	Golden State Warriors	15	50	.231	34.0	65

Game log

Preseason

2019 preseason game log Total: 5–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 4–0)
Preseason: 5–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 4–0) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 October 7 @ Atlanta W 133–109 Jrue Holiday (21) Zion Williamson (7) Lonzo Ball (7) State Farm Arena 15,441 1–0 2 October 9 @ Chicago W 127–125 Zion Williamson (29) Derrick Favors (9) Lonzo Ball (9) United Center 18,670 2–0 3 October 11 Utah W 128–127 Zion Williamson (26) Brandon Ingram (6) Nickeil Alexander-Walker (4) Smoothie King Center 17,954 3–0 4 October 13 @ San Antonio W 123–114 Zion Williamson (22) Zion Williamson (10) Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) AT&T Center 12,101 4–0 5 October 18 @ New York W 117–116 Alexander-Walker, Hart (7) Jahlil Okafor (9) Moore, Holiday (4) Madison Square Garden 19,812 5–0
2019–20 season schedule

Regular season

2019–20 game log Total: 30–42 (Home: 15–21; Road: 15–21)
October: 1–4 (Home: 1–2; Road: 0–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 1 October 22 @ Toronto L 122–130 (OT) Brandon Ingram (22) Josh Hart (10) Jrue Holiday (6) Scotiabank Arena 20,787 0–1 2 October 25 Dallas L 116–123 Brandon Ingram (25) Josh Hart (9) Jrue Holiday (8) Smoothie King Center 17,027 0–2 3 October 26 @ Houston L 123–126 Brandon Ingram (35) Brandon Ingram (15) Lonzo Ball (10) Toyota Center 18,055 0–3 4 October 28 Golden State L 123–134 Brandon Ingram (27) Brandon Ingram (10) Lonzo Ball (9) Smoothie King Center 17,307 0–4 5 October 31 Denver W 122–107 Jahlil Okafor (26) Okafor, Holiday, Hart, Alexander-Walker (5) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center 16,613 1–4
November: 5–9 (Home: 3–3; Road: 2–6) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 6 November 2 @ Oklahoma City L 104–115 J.J. Redick (17) Josh Hart (15) Lonzo Ball (7) Chesapeake Energy Arena 18,203 1–5 7 November 4 @ Brooklyn L 125–135 Brandon Ingram (40) Hart, Holiday (7) Brandon Ingram (5) Barclays Center 17,194 1–6 8 November 8 Toronto L 104–122 Brandon Ingram (27) Derrick Favors (10) Jrue Holiday (6) Smoothie King Center 16,337 1–7 9 November 9 @ Charlotte W 115–110 Brandon Ingram (25) Derrick Favors (10) Jrue Holiday (11) Spectrum Center 18,513 2–7 10 November 11 Houston L 116–122 J.J. Redick (24) Derrick Favors (12) Jrue Holiday (11) Smoothie King Center 16,695 2–8 11 November 14 LA Clippers W 132–127 Jrue Holiday (36) Derrick Favors (20) Jrue Holiday (7) Smoothie King Center 17,147 3–8 12 November 16 @ Miami L 94–109 Nickeil Alexander-Walker (27) Melli, Williams (5) E'Twaun Moore (5) American Airlines Arena 19,600 3–9 13 November 17 Golden State W 108–100 J.J. Redick (26) Hayes, Williams (10) Jrue Holiday (9) Smoothie King Center 16,812 4–9 14 November 19 Portland W 115–104 Jrue Holiday (22) Kenrich Williams (13) Jrue Holiday (10) Smoothie King Center 15,021 5–9 15 November 21 @ Phoenix W 124–121 Brandon Ingram (28) Kenrich Williams (9) Jrue Holiday (9) Talking Stick Resort Arena 13,903 6–9 16 November 23 @ Utah L 120–128 Brandon Ingram (33) JJ Redick (7) Brandon Ingram (5) Vivint Smart Home Arena 18,306 6–10 17 November 24 @ LA Clippers L 109–134 Brandon Ingram (24) Brandon Ingram (8) Ingram, Ball (5) Staples Center 19,068 6–11 18 November 27 LA Lakers L 110–114 Jrue Holiday (29) Brandon Ingram (10) Jrue Holiday (12) Smoothie King Center 18,626 6–12 19 November 29 @ Oklahoma City L 104–109 Brandon Ingram (26) Brandon Ingram (8) Jrue Holiday (6) Chesapeake Energy Arena 18,203 6–13
December: 5–10 (Home: 2–6; Road: 3–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 20 December 1 Oklahoma City L 104–107 Jrue Holiday (26) Josh Hart (11) Lonzo Ball (7) Smoothie King Center 15,427 6–14 21 December 3 Dallas L 97–118 Brandon Ingram (24) Hayes, Melli (8) Brandon Ingram (6) Smoothie King Center 14,664 6–15 22 December 5 Phoenix L 132–139 (OT) JJ Redick (26) Jrue Holiday (7) Lonzo Ball (11) Smoothie King Center 15,607 6–16 23 December 7 @ Dallas L 84–130 JJ Redick (15) Jaxson Hayes (5) Jrue Holiday (4) American Airlines Center 19,456 6–17 24 December 9 Detroit L 103–105 Brandon Ingram (31) Kenrich Williams (8) Hart, Holiday (5) Smoothie King Center 13,694 6–18 25 December 11 @ Milwaukee L 112–127 JJ Redick (31) Brandon Ingram (10) Ball, Holiday, Okafor (6) Fiserv Forum 17,385 6–19 26 December 13 @ Philadelphia L 109–116 Brandon Ingram (32) Derrick Favors (8) Jrue Holiday (10) Wells Fargo Center 20,620 6–20 27 December 15 Orlando L 119–130 Jrue Holiday (29) Jaxson Hayes (7) Jrue Holiday (8) Smoothie King Center 15,388 6–21 28 December 17 Brooklyn L 101–108 (OT) Brandon Ingram (22) Brandon Ingram (10) Jrue Holiday (6) Smoothie King Center 15,177 6–22 29 December 18 @ Minnesota W 107–99 Brandon Ingram (34) Derrick Favors (11) Lonzo Ball (6) Target Center 12,490 7–22 30 December 20 @ Golden State L 102–106 Ingram, Holiday (25) Derrick Favors (10) Brandon Ingram (6) Chase Center 18,064 7–23 31 December 23 @ Portland W 102–94 Jrue Holiday (21) Derrick Favors (13) Ingram, Holiday (5) Moda Center 19,499 8–23 32 December 25 @ Denver W 112–100 Brandon Ingram (31) Derrick Favors (13) Favors, Holiday (8) Pepsi Center 19,520 9–23 33 December 28 Indiana W 120–98 Brandon Ingram (31) Derrick Favors (16) Ingram, Holiday (7) Smoothie King Center 15,391 10–23 34 December 29 Houston W 127–112 Ingram, Ball (27) Derrick Favors (16) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center 17,712 11–23
January: 9–6 (Home: 4–4; Road: 5–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 35 January 3 @ LA Lakers L 113–123 Lonzo Ball (23) Derrick Favors (14) Jrue Holiday (6) Staples Center 18,997 11–24 36 January 4 @ Sacramento W 117–115 Lonzo Ball (24) Derrick Favors (11) Lonzo Ball (10) Golden 1 Center 16,808 12–24 37 January 6 Utah L 126–128 Brandon Ingram (35) Derrick Favors (10) Lonzo Ball (7) Smoothie King Center 14,138 12–25 38 January 8 Chicago W 123–108 Brandon Ingram (29) Jaxson Hayes (12) Brandon Ingram (11) Smoothie King Center 15,324 13–25 39 January 10 @ New York W 123–111 Brandon Ingram (28) Hart, Hayes (10) Lonzo Ball (11) Madison Square Garden 18,003 14–25 40 January 11 @ Boston L 105–140 Frank Jackson (22) Lonzo Ball (13) Lonzo Ball (9) TD Garden 19,156 14–26 41 January 13 @ Detroit W 117–110 (OT) Jahlil Okafor (25) Jahlil Okafor (14) Lonzo Ball (9) Little Caesars Arena 13,780 15–26 42 January 16 Utah W 138–132 (OT) Brandon Ingram (49) Derrick Favors (11) Lonzo Ball (13) Smoothie King Center 16,717 16–26 43 January 18 LA Clippers L 130–133 Derrick Favors (22) Derrick Favors (11) Lonzo Ball (11) Smoothie King Center 17,959 16–27 44 January 20 @ Memphis W 126–116 Jrue Holiday (36) Lonzo Ball (9) Brandon Ingram (6) FedExForum 17,794 17–27 45 January 22 San Antonio L 117–121 Ingram, Derrick Favors (10) Lonzo Ball (12) Smoothie King Center 18,365 17–28 46 January 24 Denver L 106–113 JJ Redick (18) Josh Hart (13) Jrue Holiday (9) Smoothie King Center 16,398 17–29 47 January 26 Boston W 123–108 Jrue Holiday (25) Zion Williamson (11) Lonzo Ball (15) Smoothie King Center 16,737 18–29 48 January 28 @ Cleveland W 125–111 Jrue Holiday (28) Zion Williamson (9) Jrue Holiday (8) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 19,432 19–29 49 January 31 Memphis W 139–111 Zion Williamson (24) Josh Hart (11) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center 18,362 20–29
February: 6–4 (Home: 2–2; Road: 4–2) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 50 February 2 @ Houston L 109–117 Brandon Ingram (28) Brandon Ingram (12) Lonzo Ball (9) Toyota Center 18,055 20–30 51 February 4 Milwaukee L 108–120 Brandon Ingram (32) Lonzo Ball (14) Holiday, Williamson (5) Smoothie King Center 15,424 20–31 52 February 6 @ Chicago W 125–119 Zion Williamson (21) Derrick Favors (15) Lonzo Ball (10) United Center 18,247 21–31 53 February 8 @ Indiana W 124–117 Jrue Holiday (31) Derrick Favors (11) Jrue Holiday (10) Bankers Life Fieldhouse 17,923 22–31 54 February 11 Portland W 138–117 Zion Williamson (31) Melli, Williamson (9) Ball, Holiday (10) Smoothie King Center 15,739 23–31 55 February 13 Oklahoma City L 118–123 Zion Williamson (32) Derrick Favors (9) Jrue Holiday (11) Smoothie King Center 17,865 23–32 56 February 21 @ Portland W 128–115 Zion Williamson (25) Josh Hart (13) Jrue Holiday (9) Moda Center 19,946 24–32 57 February 23 @ Golden State W 115–101 Zion Williamson (28) Derrick Favors (11) Jrue Holiday (15) Chase Center 18,064 25–32 58 February 25 @ LA Lakers L 109–118 Brandon Ingram (34) Lonzo Ball (8) Jrue Holiday (9) Staples Center 18,997 25–33 59 February 28 Cleveland W 116–104 Brandon Ingram (29) Derrick Favors (15) Lonzo Ball (12) Smoothie King Center 18,304 26–33
March: 2–3 (Home: 1–2; Road: 1–1) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 60 March 1 LA Lakers L 114–122 Zion Williamson (35) Derrick Favors (14) Lonzo Ball (9) Smoothie King Center 18,547 26–34 61 March 3 Minnesota L 134–139 Jrue Holiday (27) Jrue Holiday (10) Jrue Holiday (12) Smoothie King Center 15,264 26–35 62 March 4 @ Dallas L 123–127 (OT) Brandon Ingram (27) Derrick Favors (14) Ball, Holiday (6) American Airlines Center 20,459 26–36 63 March 6 Miami W 110–104 Jrue Holiday (20) Josh Hart (12) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center 18,384 27–36 64 March 8 @ Minnesota W 120–107 Jrue Holiday (37) Brandon Ingram (12) Ball, Holiday (8) Target Center 18,978 28–36
Seeding games: 2–6 (Home: 2–2; Road: 0–4) Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 65 July 30 Utah L 104–106 Brandon Ingram (23) Favors, Ingram (8) Lonzo Ball (7) HP Field House No In-Person Attendance 28–37 66 August 1 @ LA Clippers L 103–126 Nickeil Alexander-Walker (15) Derrick Favors (9) Frank Jackson (6) HP Field House No In-Person Attendance 28–38 67 August 3 Memphis W 109–99 Brandon Ingram (24) Derrick Favors (13) Lonzo Ball (6) HP Field House No In-Person Attendance 29–38 68 August 6 @ Sacramento L 125–140 Ingram, Williamson (24) Jrue Holiday (5) Lonzo Ball (11) HP Field House No In-Person Attendance 29–39 69 August 7 Washington W 118–107 Jrue Holiday (28) Derrick Favors (10) Jrue Holiday (6) Visa Athletic Center No In-Person Attendance 30–39 70 August 9 San Antonio L 113–122 JJ Redick (31) Derrick Favors (12) Lonzo Ball (10) HP Field House No In-Person Attendance 30–40 71 August 11 @ Sacramento L 106–112 Jahlil Okafor (21) Josh Hart (10) Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6) The Arena No In-Person Attendance 30–41 72 August 13 @ Orlando L 127–133 Frank Jackson (31) Josh Hart (14) Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) Visa Athletic Center No In-Person Attendance 30–42
Cancelled games Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location Attendance Record 65 March 11 @ Sacramento Golden 1 Center 66 March 13 @ Utah Vivint Smart Home Arena 67 March 14 @ LA Clippers Staples Center 68 March 16 Atlanta Smoothie King Center 69 March 18 San Antonio Smoothie King Center 70 March 21 @ Memphis FedExForum 71 March 22 Sacramento Smoothie King Center 72 March 24 Memphis Smoothie King Center 73 March 27 New York Smoothie King Center 74 March 29 @ Orlando Amway Center 75 March 31 @ Atlanta State Farm Arena 76 April 1 @ Washington Capital One Arena 77 April 5 @ San Antonio AT&T Center 78 April 7 Charlotte Smoothie King Center 79 April 9 Phoenix Smoothie King Center 80 April 11 Philadelphia Smoothie King Center 81 April 13 Washington Smoothie King Center 82 April 15 @ San Antonio AT&T Center
2019–20 season schedule

Transactions

References

1. "Pelicans name David Griffin Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations". NBA.com. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
2. "Pelicans hire Trajan Langdon as General Manager". NBA.com. May 19, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
3. "Pelicans agree to trade Anthony Davis to Lakers". NBA.com. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
4. Mahoney, Brian. "Pelicans select Zion Williamson with No. 1 pick in draft". Retrieved July 13, 2020.
5. "NBA to suspend season following Wednesday's games". NBA.com. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
6. Reynolds, Tim (March 11, 2020). "NBA suspends season until further notice, over coronavirus". NBA.com. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
7. Wojnarowski, Adrian (2020-06-04). "NBA approves 22-team format to finish season". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
8. "Full 2019 NBA Draft Order". tankathon.com. Archived from the original on 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
9. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26981805/sources-lakers-reach-deal-pelicans-davis
10. http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27019018/hawks-trade-no-4-eye-hunter
11. "Warriors Acquire Draft Rights to Alen Smailagić from New Orleans". NBA.com. June 20, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.