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By Anne Erickson
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The New Orleans Pelicans took a much softer approach than many teams this offseason, but that doesn't necessarily mean they stood still.
While franchises across the NBA went after blockbuster trades and major roster shakeups, the Pelicans made the decision to keep believing in the foundation they've already built.
After a difficult couple of seasons, there was plenty of speculation that New Orleans could make significant changes. Instead, the front office largely stayed the course, adding Jaron Pierre Jr. while parting ways with veteran center Kevon Looney.
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Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the summer is that the Pelicans resisted the temptation to break up their core. Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones generated plenty of trade buzz, but New Orleans held onto both players. That's a pretty strong indication the organization still believes its best basketball is ahead, not behind.
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It's easy to understand why. Murphy has developed into one of the league's more dynamic young wings, capable of impacting games on both ends of the floor. Jones continues to be one of the NBA's most reliable perimeter defenders, the kind of player every contender wishes it had. Those aren't pieces you move unless the return dramatically changes your future.
Sure, fans hoping for fireworks may have been left wanting more. The Pelicans weren't the team making headlines every other day, and they didn't completely reinvent the roster. But not every offseason has to be defined by splashy moves.
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Continuity can matter just as much as change, especially for a team that has spent the past few years battling injuries. If New Orleans can finally get healthier and its core continues to develop, simply keeping the group together could end up looking like a smart decision.
The Pelicans are betting that internal growth will accomplish what a blockbuster trade couldn't. Whether that gamble pays off won't be decided in August. But, it'll be decided once the games start, and New Orleans still has enough talent to make things happen.
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