13 consecutive losses! 2-for-1 loss trade! Sure enough, they are the bottom team in the Western Conference

November 3, NBA regular season: The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 106-137. The Pelicans suffered a 6-game losing streak and continued to rank last in the Western Conference. The Thunder have won 7 consecutive games and are currently the only undefeated team in the league. If you include the 7-game losing streak at the end of the 2024-25 season, the Pelicans have suffered 13 consecutive losses, tying a team record.

Zion made 7 of 14 shots, 6 of 12 free throws, 20 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal, with a plus-minus value of -17. Poole made 2 of 11 shots, 2 of 9 three-pointers, and 5 of 6 free throws. He only scored 11 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 1 steal. His plus-minus value was -26, the lowest in the game. The next game, the Pelicans vs. the Hornets at home, will determine whether coach Willie Green will stay.

Poole played 6 games with the Pelicans this season, starting 3 of them. He averaged 30.8 minutes per game, 18.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 turnovers. His three shooting percentages were: 37.6%, 35.8%, 96.4%. His field goal percentage was the second-lowest of his career, only higher than his rookie season. Poole's contract is $128 million over four years and expires in the summer of 2027.

This summer, the Pelicans sent McCollum, Olynyk and a second-round pick to the Wizards in exchange for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bay and the 2025 No. 40 pick. The Pelicans also made a deal during the offseason: they sent the No. 23 pick in this year's first round, plus an unprotected first-round pick in 2026 to the Hawks in a 2-for-1 deal to get the No. 13 pick in this year's first round.

At that time, ESPN gave the Pelicans an F trade rating, the worst rating of any trade this summer. Based on the Pelicans' record, there is a high probability that the first-round pick in 2026 will be in the top five, and may even be the No. 1 pick. Moreover, next year is also a big year for the draft, and the quality of the top three picks is even higher than this year. It's a pity that there is no point in the Pelicans playing poorly now.

The Pelicans used the 13th pick to select Derek Quinn, and the Hawks used the 23rd pick to select Asa Newell. Quinn averaged 17.5 minutes per game this season, scoring 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds, with three shooting percentages: 44.1%, 0%, and 77.8%. Newell averaged 10 minutes per game, 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds, and three shooting percentages: 46.2%, 57.1%, 50%.

It’s no wonder that some teams are so bad. Do you think there's still hope for the Pelicans? Will Zion request a trade?