The early years in New Orleans (2002-2005)
The Hornets opened their first season in New Orleans on October 30, 2002 against the former New Orleans franchise, the Utah Jazz. In their first NBA game in New Orleans in 17 years, they defeated the Jazz 100-75, while retiring "Pistol" Pete Maravich's No. 7 Jersey at halftime. Despite Baron Davis' nagging injuries, the Hornets finished the season with a 47-35 record, allowing the franchise to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth straight year. There, it was defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
After the season, the team unexpectedly fired their head coach Paul Silas and replaced him with Tim Floyd. The team started the 2003-04 season strong with a 17-7 record, faded, and finished 41-41, narrowly missing out on home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, where they faced the Miami Heat. Dwyane Wade hit the last two shots in the first game of the series, which Miami won in the seventh game.
Again, the head coach, this time Tim Floyd, was fired after the season and the team hired Byron Scott in his place. Due to the move and realignment of the NBA's divisions, the Hornets were now playing in the tougher Southwest Division of the Western Conference, which already included four playoff teams in the form of the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies. As a result, the team was not expected to have a chance to clinch a playoff spot. In a season marred by injuries to three All-Stars (Baron Davis, Jamaal Magloire and Jamal Mashburn), an 0-8 start turned into a 2-29 record, including a one-point overtime loss to their replacements in Charlotte, the Charlotte Bobcats, which was also the franchise's first game in Charlotte since moving there in 2002. The result of the lack of success was the reshaping of the team, transferring veterans like Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn to begin a rebuild. The Hornets performed better again in January and February after that, finishing the season with the worst record in franchise history, 18-64, marking the first time they had more losses than wins since the 1991-92 season.
Hurricane Katrina and the interim move to Oklahoma City (2005-2007)
Due to the catastrophic devastation in southeast Louisiana caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Hornets temporarily moved to Oklahoma City (2005/06-2006/07). During this time, the franchise was called the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. During these two seasons, the majority of home games were played at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, while some games continued to be played at the New Orleans Arena. Their practice facility was the Sawyer Center on the campus of Southern Nazarene University during their time in Oklahoma City. However, the team's training camp in 2006 was held at their training facility, the Alario Center in Westwego, Louisiana.
With the fourth pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, the Hornets selected a future All-Star in Chris Paul. In the 2005-06 season, the team played 36 games in Oklahoma City, one of them at the Lloyd Noble Center on the campus of the University of Oklahoma due to a conflict with the Ford Center, three games in New Orleans and one at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on the campus of Louisiana State University. Originally, a total of five games were to be played in Baton Rouge, but due to the considerable progress made in restoring the New Orleans Arena, returning to New Orleans was the better option.
The team started the 2005-06 season better than expected, even after backup center Chris Andersen received a two-year suspension for drug use. It seemed like the team used this as motivation and briefly held sixth place in the West. Eventually, they lost 12 of 13 games, falling out of the playoff spots. During this time, they set an NBA negative record by scoring just 16 points in the second half against the Los AngelesClippers. The Hornets bounced back and tried one more time to clinch a playoff spot. In the end, they only finished tenth in the Western Conference with a record of 38-44. Despite the negative record, Chris Paul won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and several of his teammates were in the running for other individual awards.
After the season, the Hornets made big changes to the roster in hopes of making the Western Conference playoffs for the first time. That's why they traded J. R. Smith and P. J. Brown to the Chicago Bulls for Tyson Chandler. They also had Speedy Claxton sign with the Atlanta Hawks and filled the backup point guard position with free agents Bobby Jackson and Jannero Pargo. Furthermore, Peja Stojaković signed from the Indiana Pacers in New Orleans.
The franchise decided to stay in Oklahoma City for the 2006-07 season, promising to return to New Orleans as early as possible in 2007. That season, the Hornets played 35 home games in Oklahoma, six in New Orleans, and finished with a 39-43 record, one more win than the previous season.
The successful operation in Oklahoma City contributed to the city being chosen as the new home of the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2008-09 season (see Oklahoma City Thunder).
Back in The Big Easy (2007-2010)
The Hornets returned to New Orleans in its entirety for the 2007-08 season, allowing all 41 home games to be played at New Orleans Arena. League officials had stressed at the beginning of the franchise's return that they would help rebuild as soon as it was feasible. That's why the 2008 NBA All-Star Game and related festivities were awarded to New Orleans and a major marketing campaign was launched in February 2007. Sponsorship agreements were then signed with various companies, such as the Dr Pepper Snapple Group. They also brought in free agents Morris Peterson and Melvin Ely, while letting former first-round draft pick Cedric Simmons walk. In addition, the franchise extended the contract of backup guard Jannero Pargo and selected forward Julian Wright from the University of Kansas with the 13th pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.
Attendance at New Orleans Arena spiked in March and April of 2008 as the team held onto first place. Twelve of the final 17 games in the regular season and the final 13 games of the entire season were sold out at the Hornets' home venue in the process. Better than the previous season, the team stormed to a 29-12 record at the halfway point of the season (best record in the West), leading Byron Scott to coach the Western Conference All-Stars at home in New Orleans. In addition, his players Chris Paul and David West were named All-Star reserve players. In addition, the aforementioned Chris Paul was nominated as the 2008 NBA MVP, finished only second in the voting. On February 21, the team agreed to a trade with the Houston Rockets in which the Rockets received veteran Bobby Jackson and the Hornets received swingman Bonzi Wells and backup point guard Mike James.
The teams finished the regular season with a record of 56-36, making this their most successful season ever. At the same time, it meant the team's first division title, as they won the Southwest Division ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, and second place in the Western Conference Playoffs, where they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. In the Conference Semifinals, they scored decisive wins in the first two games against the San Antonio Spurs, eventually losing to the defending champions 4-3 in a close series.
In August 2008, the Hornets unveiled a modified logo and new jerseys in turquoise, purple and Mardi Gras gold, and the pinstripes reappeared on the game attire. The font was changed as a nod to the wrought-iron architecture of New Orleans, and another third logo was introduced, adorning the abbreviation "NOLA" (New Orleans, LA (Louisiana)) and a trumpet. The franchise had also publicly announced the sale of more than 10,000 season tickets for the 2008-09 season, a record since moving to New Orleans.
After the most successful season in franchise history, there were high expectations, both in the regular season and in the 2009 playoffs, for the team. Several experts picked the Hornets as repeat winners of the Southwest Division and potential Western Conference champions.
While the core players from the preseason were kept, forward James Posey was signed as a free agent by the Boston Celtics. In contrast, point guard Jannero Pargo opted to go to Russia and play in the Russian Basketball Super League. In December 2008, another point guard, Antonio Daniels, was brought in through a trade. In exchange, the barely used Mike James and a future second round draft pick were dealt away. More notable was the February 18 announcement that center Tyson Chandler was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox to cut payroll. However, due to Chandler's toe injury, the trade was rescinded within a day.
For the second year in a row, the team had two players participate in the All-Star Game. Chris Paul was selected by the fans for the game in Phoenix, while David West was nominated by the coaches for the reserves.
However, the season was a roller coaster and by April it was clear that the 56-26 record from the previous season was out of reach in the 2008-09 season. The reason for this was mainly the injury problems of Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojaković. The Hornets finished the season with a disappointing 49-33 record, which also meant fourth place in the division and seventh place in the conference. In the first round of the playoffs, the Hornets faced the Denver Nuggets, who won their first two home games. They dropped to 1-2 at home in New Orleans, set a playoffs negative record when they lost game four 63-121. It was also the most losses ever by a home team in the regular season and playoffs. In the process, the Hornets hit just 31.5% from the field and 13.3% from downtown. The devastated Hornets were subsequently eliminated in game five and an off-season of much squad speculation began.
Following a highly unsuccessful end to the 2008-09 season and an attempt to trade Tyson Chandler for expiring contracts during the season, the New Orleans Hornets were continuing to trim payroll. In fact, at the start of the free agent period on July 1, they had the highest salaries of any team in the NBA, $77 million, putting them $7 million above the Luxury Tax set on July 7.
Despite the board's claims of making the team a favorite again, it was very surprising when Tyson Chandler was traded on July 28. In return, Emeka Okafor came from the Charlotte Bobcats. The remainder of Okafor's five-year contract ($63 million/5 years) saved them $1.3 million in 2009-10.
Through the 2009 draft, the backcourt was traded Darren Collison (21st pick) and Marcus Thornton (43rd pick by the Heat) for two future second-round picks. On August 12, 2009, starting player Rasual Butler was also traded for a 2016 second-round pick to save even more salary, as Butler would have received $3.9 million left for the season. Since the Hornets were already above the luxury tax, that savings was doubly effective. A third trade included guard Bobby Brown and forward Darius Songaila from the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sept. 9, while Hornets guard Antonio Daniels moved to Minneapolis.
The effort to get below the Luxury Tax threshold continued throughout the season. First, disappointing back-up center Hilton Armstrong was sent to the Kings along with cash considerations to Sacramento. In return, the team received another 2016 second-round draft pick. Shortly after, starting shooting guard Devin Brown was traded to Chicago for reserve center Aaron Gray. Another draft in which back-up guard Bobby Brown went to the Clippers for a conditional second-round draft pick put the Hornets just under the Luxury Tax threshold.
On the court, the team started in a disappointing manner, resulting in head coach Byron Scott being fired after a 3-6 start on November 12, 2009. General manager Jeff Bower took over the position for the rest of the season. They overcame the poor start to the season to finish sixth in the Western Conference at the end of January. In the penultimate game of January, superstar Chris Paul was injured trying to get a ball that bounced out of bounds. He could not be used again until late in the season. The only highlights for the rest of the season were the brilliant performances of rookies Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton. While Collinson scored at least 18 points and nine assists in seven consecutive games, something no other rookie has accomplished since Oscar Robertson, Marcus Thornton enjoyed a 37-point night (including a franchise-record 23-point quarter) against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 23. Both rookies made the postseason All-Rookie teams, the first time in franchise history.
The Hornets finished the season with a lowly 37-45 record and slipped to last place in the Southwest Division, which they had won two years earlier. Jeff Bower later resigned as head coach to focus on his front office duties. It wasn't long before Bower was fired by the Hornets. On July 13, 2010, his tenure of nearly 15 years with the franchise came to an end. In addition to firing Bowers, Monty Williams, the former co-coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, was hired as coach, making him the youngest head coach in the league at the age of 38. As Bowers' successor as general manger, the team hired Dell Demps from the San Antonio Spurs.
A new beginning (2010-2012)
With a new head coach and a new general manager in the franchise, the Hornets started into an uncertain future. As such, co-owner Gary Chouest may have wanted to buy out the Hornets to become the sole owner of the franchise. The most likely outcome of replacing George Shinn would have been financially beneficial, as Chouest was stronger than Shinn in that regard. There was also the uncertainty related to the situation surrounding star point guard Chris Paul, who expressed dissatisfaction and a trade request several times during the offseason.
During the off-season, the roster was heavily worked on. As such, many trades were completed, due in part to a new philosophy from the new coach and GM, and Chris Paul's off-season comments. As early as draft night 2010, draft pick Cole Aldrich and disappointing guard Morris Peterson were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 21st and 26th picks, which allowed forwards Craig Brackins and Quincy Pondexter to be drafted. On August 11, strong rookie guard Darren Collison and forward James Posey were traded to the Indiana Pacers in a four-team trade. In exchange, small forward Trevor Ariza came from Texas from the Houston Rockets. In a separate trade, the very disappointing Julian Wright was also shipped to the Toronto Raptors, while Italian shooting guard Marco Belinelli came from Toronto. Back on September 23, 2010, rookie Craig Brackins, along with power forward Darius Songaila, were sent to the Philadelphia 76ers, and shooting guard Willie Green and center Jason Smith were brought in from Philadelphia in return. Finally, just before the regular season began, the Hornets traded a conditional first-round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for guard Jerryd Bayless on October 23.
With these drastic changes to the roster, the team seemed younger, more athletic, and much better defensively. Several former misses like Peterson, Posey, and Wright were passed on. In contrast, there were losses like point guard Darren Collison and the many draft picks going forward. When the 2010-11 season started, only three players (Chris Paul, David West, and Peja Stojaković) were left from the team that won the Southwest Division two years earlier. Despite their best efforts and reshaping of the roster, most pundits predicted the Hornets would have a difficult season and only a slim chance of finishing eighth in the West. Contrary to predictions, the team got off to an impressive start. In fact, they broke a team record after just five games by starting the season with five wins on November 5, and then winning three more times after that. Their first ten opponents were all held under 100 points. Another team record was broken in January 2011, when the team won ten straight. At the end of the season, New Orleans finished seventh in the West and qualified for the 2011 playoffs, where they fell 4-2 to the second-place Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.
The takeover of the franchise from Gary Chouest fell through in early December 2010, and with George Shinn financially unable to continue running the team, the NBA was expected to take it over to find a local owner. In the end, the league outbid Larry Ellison, the CEO of Oracle Corporation, who tried to buy out the Golden State Warriors, paying an estimated $300 million for the franchise. In addition, on January 24, 2011, the state, city, and local businesses in New Orleans came together and raised enough money to still buy enough tickets to prevent the Hornets from using the "escape clause" that would have allowed the franchise to leave the New Orleans arena due to low attendance.
In the 2011 draft, the Hornets didn't get to select a player until the second round (with the 45th pick) and chose Josh Harrellson from the University of Kentucky. Co-star David West also opted to try the free agent market, so did not extend early with the Hornets. On July 1, 2011, the NBA lockout occurred. After the lockout ended, West left the team for good and joined the Indiana Pacers. There were many rumors surrounding Chris Paul. In December, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers before the season started. In return, the Hornets received center Chris Kaman, guard Eric Gordon, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and a 2012 draft pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves. This ended the Chris Paul era after 6 years and the Hornets initiated a rebuild of the roster. After a poor 2011-12 season, the NBA sold the team to Tom Benson for $338 million in June 2012.
The arrival of the Monobrow, renamed Pelicans (2012-2019).
The Hornets won the first draft pick in the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery on May 30, 2012. Before the draft, center Emeka Okafor and forward Trevor Ariza were sent to the Washington Wizards, from whom forward Rashard Lewis came to New Orleans in return. On draft night, college star Anthony Davis was selected first overall, who, in addition to his basketball skills, is remembered by fans for his monobrow. He was already on the roster of the U.S. national basketball team for the London Olympics in the summer of 2012 to replace the injured Blake Griffin. In addition, guard Austin Rivers, son of Clippers coach Doc Rivers, was drafted with the 10th pick (by Minnesota) out of Duke University, and forward Darius Miller was drafted with the 46th pick, who like the first pick, Davis, played at the University of Kentucky.
Forward Rashard Lewis, who was under contract with the Hornets, was immediately released in order to have more options for new additions. So the Most Improved Player of the preseason, Ryan Anderson, came from Orlando in exchange for the Mexican Gustavo Ayón. In addition, NBA experienced center Brad Miller came from Minnesota, while point guard Jarrett Jack (Golden State Warriors) and center Darryl Watkins (Philadelphia 76ers) left the Hornets. Another departure was Eric Gordon, who was presented a contract by the Phoenix Suns. However, Hornets management matched that offer, keeping Gordon in New Orleans. In addition, Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick (from the Phoenix Suns) were signed in a 3-team trade that saw Jerome Dyson, rookie Brad Miller and three draft picks dealt to Minnesota. In addition, point guard Brian Roberts was signed from the German champions, Brose Baskets Bamberg.
On November 8, 2012, only 62 points were scored in a home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. This meant a new franchise negative record. In the 2012/13 season, as in the previous year, the playoffs were missed significantly.
During the summer of 2013, the team was strengthened with All-Star Jrue Holiday and guard Tyreke Evans. Robin Lopez, on the other hand, was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. Likewise, the previously announced name change away from Hornets to Pelicans was completed in the summer of 2013. In this way, the owners and managers of the team hope for greater identification of the fans with the team. With Ömer Aşık, the Pelicans lured a new center to New Orleans in the summer of 2014 and strengthened the bench with experienced forces from other NBA teams. As a result, the Pelicans made the playoffs in 2014/2015 in 8th place in the Western Conference. There, however, the team failed to advance in the first round, losing 4-0 to the Golden State Warriors. A few weeks after the elimination from the playoffs, the Pelicans announced the separation of head coach Monty Williams.
The new coach of the Pelicans was Alvin Gentry. However, he could not reach the playoffs with the Pelicans due to many injuries of the regular players Gordon, Anderson, Holiday, Evans and Davis. They ended up in twelfth place in the Western Conference with 30 wins. In the 2016 NBA Draft, the Pelicans drafted college star Buddy Hield sixth overall. The Pelicans got off to a weak start to the season. During All-Star weekend, star center DeMarcus Cousins was signed by the Sacramento Kings. In return, Hield and Tyreke Evans, among others, moved to the Kings. Despite the big-name reinforcements, the Pelicans once again failed to make the playoffs.
The Pelicans entered the 2017/18 season with a nearly unchanged roster, but during the season DeMarcus Cousins suffered an injury and was out for the remainder of the season. The Pelicans then brought in Nikola Mirotic from the Chicago Bulls. With him, Davis, Jrue Holiday and Rajon Rondo, the Pelicans somewhat surprisingly reached the NBA playoffs. In the first round they eliminated the Portland Trail Blazers with 4:0. In the next round the Pelicans met the defending champion Golden State Warriors. They then lost to the Warriors 1:4.
DeMarcus Cousins left the Pelicans at the end of his contract for Golden State. As a replacement, the young power forward Julius Randle, who had previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers, was signed for two years and in addition, with point guard Elfrid Payton, another young player came into the ranks of the franchise. New Orleans played a good season and reached 48 wins, which qualified for the playoffs and defeated the favored Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs.
Post-Davis Era: New Beginnings with Williamson (Since 2019).
The Pelicans failed to compete for the playoffs in the 2018/19 season. To make matters worse, star player Anthony Davis was increasingly dissatisfied with the Pelicans' athletic development and publicly called for a transfer in the middle of the season. After missing the playoffs by a wide margin, the Pelicans won the first pick in the draft lottery. In the wake of continued speculation surrounding Anthony Davis, he was transferred to the Los Angeles Lakers just before the 2019 NBA Draft. In turn, young talents Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and several draft picks moved to New Orleans. In the following NBA draft, the Pelicans selected Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, three players in the first round of the draft. Despite a strong 2nd season from Zion Williamson, who became a first-time All-Star, the Pelicans missed the playoffs again in the 2020-21 season with a record of 31 wins and 41 losses.
