New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans call the Smoothie King Center home, an arena in downtown that opened its doors in 1999. This team competes in the National Basketball Association as part of the Southwest Division within the Western Conference. Fans fill the seats for games featuring a roster built around local talent and international stars.

Ownership shifted when Gayle Benson took over the franchise after her husband Tom Benson passed away. The team colors remain Navy Blue, Gold, and Red, reflecting the vibrant spirit of Louisiana. Pete Maravich holds the distinction of having his number retired by the organization, even though he never played for them during their time in New Orleans. [edit]

George Shinn moved the Charlotte Hornets to New Orleans in 2002, marking the start of professional basketball in the city under that name. Hurricane Katrina forced the franchise to split its operations between New Orleans and Oklahoma City for two seasons starting in 2005. They returned fully to the Crescent City for the 2007–08 campaign, where Chris Paul and David West led the team to a 56–26 record and a division title.

Tom Benson purchased the team in 2012 and changed the name to the Pelicans in 2013 to honor the state bird and a defunct minor league baseball team. Anthony Davis became the centerpiece of the franchise until a trade sent him to Los Angeles in 2019. The front office used the resulting assets to draft Zion Williamson first overall in 2019, hoping he would anchor the next era. [edit]