The New Orleans Pelicans have failed to reach 30 wins in back-to-back seasons, faced limited ways to improve the team this offseason and decided to stay committed to winning. That decision was maligned by many, but how was the team able to navigate this offseason?

The biggest problem with the Pelicans' offseason is that they were not able to make any sweeping changes because of their limited resources, which were also due to some of the moves in the past. With what they did have, though, they have made a few interesting moves. It's hard to be too down on the recent decision-making of the front office, outside of a few small gripes.

Starting with arguably the best move they have made recently was the decision to hire Jamahl Mosley. This was a coaching staff that had helped rebuild the Orlando Magic into a serious organization once again and carried that roster to what seems to be the peak of what it could accomplish.

With the goal being to win games right now and make another postseason push, this was a smart hire. They turned things around quickly for the Magic and will have a much better starting position in New Orleans. If they can find a way to make this group defend well, which is their calling card, then they could be on their way.

Mosley will have to work with mostly the same group as last year, which is really the biggest detriment to their offseason. At the same time, one could say that this roster, when healthy, is nothing like it has been over the past two seasons.

Dejounte Murray coming back will be the biggest game-changer. He's a great fit for what this staff wants to accomplish as a defensive asset they didn't really have in the backcourt last year. Alongside him, Bennedict Mathurin should provide more off the bench than what they got out of their rotational shooting guards a season ago.

Getting Mathurin on a two-year, $16 million deal (with a player option in Year 2) was a steal. Having to trade away Micah Peavy and draft capital to move off of Jordan Hawkins was not, though that was a price they had to pay to fix last offseason's mistake.

Saddiq Bey's extension was a great move; he earned that deal, and it was about market price for a player that fits his role. Not having draft capital to add an instant-impact player stung, but Derik Queen could still be worth it and Jaron Pierre Jr. was a nice consolation prize. Their latest move, adding Julian Reese on a two-way deal, was a great way to close out the offseason.

While it wasn't the flashiest, they did well with what they were working with. Making bigger swings would have included selling low on Zion Williamson or Herb Jones, or giving up on Trey Murphy for two first-round picks. They didn't like the value that moves had, so they stood their ground. Now it's time to see if it pays off.