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Defector

Giri Nathan

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: Derik Queen #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a play during the second half of a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Smoothie King Center on December 08, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

Derik Queen Might Be Good Enough To Make A Colossally Dumb Decision Look Slightly Less Dumb

Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors looks to pass the ball against Saddiq Bey #41 of the New Orleans Pelicans

The Warriors Without Steph Curry Are Bad, But The Pelicans Are Still Worse

Patrick Redford

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 29: Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics watches warmups before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the TD Garden on October 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Which NBA Teams Are Cool?

Zion Williamson and Jeremiah Fears of the New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans Are Already Deeply Alarming

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans plays the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in the fourth quarter February 05, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.

Zion Williamson Accused Of Rape, Domestic Violence In Lawsuit

Tom Ley

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his 3-point basket to score his 50,002 NBA regular season and playoff career points during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on March 04, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

LeBron Damn James

An interior view of the field showing the New Orleans Saints logo.

Emails Show How Saints Leadership Offered To Help Local Clergy With Damage Control Amid Sexual Abuse Crisis

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Zion Williamson Is Back In The Shop

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrates during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Zion Williamson Has Been Lean And Lively In March

Zion Williamson stands still during a pause in the action

Report: Zion Williamson’s Contract Is Not Guaranteed For The Last Three Years

Ja Morant of the Grizzlies scores the game-winning basket against the Pelicans

Ja Morant Returns, Lifts Grizzlies From Muck

Zion Williamson Shows Signs Of Life After Nationwide Concern For His Conditioning

Zion Williamson flexes against the Knicks

Zion Williamson Eats Space For Every Meal

Zion Williamson looks on from the sidelines

Where Was Zion Williamson, And Where Will He Be?

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 18: Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans speaks during media availability as part of 2023 NBA All Star Weekend on February 18, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Another Zion Williamson Season Ends In The Toilet

Zion Williamson sits on the bench in street clothes.

Zion Williamson’s Injury Setback Is Everyone’s Loss

Zion Williamson flexes during the pregame

Zion Williamson Left The Timberwolves Bruised And Salty

Zion Williamson dunks as an entire Toronto Raptors squad looks on.

Zion After Raptors: Burp

BROOKLYN, NY - OCTOBER 19: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans smiles during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 19, 2022 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Zion’s Back

Albert Burneko

Behold, The Nerdiest Question Ever Asked At An NBA Press Conference

Zion Williamson poses at Pelicans media day.

Zion Williamson Will Remain A Pelican After All

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 26: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Jose Alvarado #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 112-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Jose Alvarado Is A Delightful Pest

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 19: CJ McCollum #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans celebrates with Larry Nance Jr. #22 following Game Two of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on April 19, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Pelicans defeated the Suns 125-114. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)