Mosley backs – Jamahl Mosley, hired after being dismissed by the Orlando Magic, told New Orleans it still hasn’t “scratched the surface” of Zion Williamson’s potential—tying the next Pelicans era to his health. The comment lands amid a 2025-26 Western Conference finish near
When the New Orleans Pelicans hired Jamahl Mosley as their next head coach after he was dismissed by the Orlando Magic, the message wasn’t subtle: the franchise wants a reset fast.
New Orleans is coming off a rough 2025-26 season in which it finished toward the bottom of the Western Conference standings. But even in the middle of that disappointment. the Pelicans still have Zion Williamson on their roster—despite years of trade rumors and injury concerns—and Mosley’s latest comments make it clear they aren’t treating that as a temporary arrangement.
Mosley said Williamson “hasn’t even ‘scratched the surface of what he can do.’” He also said he wants to “open the floor for Zion. ” and that health is a major key to unlocking Williamson further. The position is striking in its certainty. especially when the team’s results haven’t matched the talent the organization is still betting on.
Health has been the central issue for Williamson for years. In 2025-26, he was the most available he’s ever been during his career. Yet availability alone wasn’t enough to pull the Pelicans into playoff contention. and some have started to notice a decline in Williamson’s signature explosiveness and athleticism when he’s on the court.
That tension—between Mosley’s excitement for what’s next and the visible questions that have followed Williamson’s most available season—shapes the stakes of this offseason. The Pelicans haven’t made it clear what they plan to do this summer to improve their roster. Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III are two of the names drawing interest across the league. but New Orleans brass has been hesitant to part ways with them. for reasons known only to them.
New Orleans also doesn’t have its first-round pick this year thanks to last summer’s deal with the Atlanta Hawks, limiting the financial and strategic flexibility that often comes with being able to swing for a roster overhaul.
Taken together. Mosley’s stance suggests a club that still wants its future built around Williamson rather than around moving him. His confidence in Williamson—framed through the idea that there’s more to come if his health opens the door—would indicate New Orleans doesn’t plan to move the power forward anytime soon. even as the on-court concerns linger.
For a franchise staring at the aftermath of a 2025-26 season that left it near the bottom of the West, the Pelicans’ next step may hinge less on changing the headline piece of the roster—and more on whether Williamson can finally deliver the explosiveness the team believes is still out there.
MISRYOUM Pelicans Jamahl Mosley Zion Williamson Orlando Magic Western Conference 2025-26 season Herb Jones Trey Murphy III Atlanta Hawks first-round pick