This was a transformational offseason for the New Orleans Pelicans, as they moved on from both executives and veterans in an effort to finally overcome that hump and become true contenders.

While a large part of the equation that has been missing is health, and there is only so much that a team can do to avoid that, it hasn’t been the only thing keeping them back. Did the Pelicans do enough this offseason to fix their woes?

Here is a recap of the major moves that they made this past offseason:

Fired David Griffin, Hired Joe Dumars

Griffin was hired back in 2019 and shortly after, they won the first overall pick at the NBA draft lottery, which they used to select Zion Williamson. The vibes in New Orleans were as high as ever, but they have seemingly only gone downwards since. Under Griffin, the Pelicans had a 209-263 record and made the playoffs twice in six years. It is not shocking that they made a change at the highest level.

Dumars is a Shreveport native who played in the NBA for 14 years. He was the president of basketball operations for another 14 years, getting through a bunch of highs and lows. He did, however, oversee the 2004 NBA championship team. The move was widely maligned by the public, so the pressure will be on to perform quickly.

The CJ McCollum, Jordan Poole Trade

New Orleans traded CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 overall pick (which was used on Micah Peavy). It’s hard to imagine a scenario where this doesn’t end up as a net positive for the Pelicans.

McCollum gave New Orleans about 21 points per game during his time, but never really seemed to fit the offense fully. Poole is streakier and less consistent, but makes the team younger and can be more dynamic for longer. That’s also not to mention Bey significantly improving the team’s 3-and-D wing depth. He’s a bit stronger than the guys they have now and can add a new fold to the lineup. It’s an interesting retooling of the offense.

Drafted Jeremiah Fears at No. 7 Overall

An offense with both Poole and Fears included seems like prime “hoops” potential, but the real intriguing combination will be the rookie and Dejounte Murray. Those two guards have very similar approaches and Fears could learn a lot from Murray, which is not an accident by this staff. It’s unclear how big a role Fears will have immediately, but he has a high ceiling

Traded Up for Derik Queen at No. 13 Overall

Despite not being their first selection, Queen has been the larger topic of conversation because the Pelicans traded next year’s first-round pick for the ability to acquire him. It is certainly a huge risk given that expectations aren’t very high for New Orleans this season.

Focusing on the player, Queen could be a transformational offensive presence in the frontcourt. He averaged 16.5 points, nine rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal during his lone collegiate season. He has some playmaking potential and can make his own shots at the rim. It’s not hard to see why the Pelicans wanted him so badly, but he was certainly expensive.