Following New Orleans' 21-61 finish during its 2024-25 campaign, executive vice president David Griffin was fired and replaced by Joe Dumars. Dumars confirmed that he didn't have a mandate to move on from Williamson after he was hired.

The Pelicans won the lottery in 2012 and 2019, drafting Anthony Davis 13 years ago and Zion Williamson in 2019.

The Pelicans have been relatively fortunate in the draft lottery over the past 15 years. In 2012, they received the No. 1 pick, which turned into All-NBA forward Anthony Davis, who was later traded away. In 2019, they got the top pick again, selecting Williamson.