2017–18 New Orleans Pelicans season explained

Team:	New Orleans Pelicans
End Year:	2018
Wins:	48
Losses:	34
Division:	Southwest
Division Place:	2
Conf Place:	6
Coach:	Alvin Gentry
Gm:	Dell Demps
Arena:	Smoothie King Center
Playoffs:	Conference Semifinals (lost to Warriors 1–4)
Bbr Team:	NOP
Television:	Fox Sports New Orleans
Radio:	WWL-FM

The 2017–18 New Orleans Pelicans season was the 16th season of the New Orleans Pelicans franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Pelicans were coached by Alvin Gentry in his third year as head coach. They played their home games at the Smoothie King Center as members of the Western Conference's Southwest Division.

The team's second-leading scorer, DeMarcus Cousins, suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury during his subsequent final game as a Pelican on January 26, 2018, and missed the remainder of the season.^[1] Despite losing Cousins, the Pelicans clinched their first playoff berth since 2015 with a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on April 9, 2018.^[2] They finished the season 48–34 to finish in second place in the Southwest Division.

In the Playoffs, the Pelicans faced off against the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in the First Round. On April 14, 2018, the Pelicans won the first game in the First Round playoff series which marked the franchise's first playoff game win since the 2011 playoffs' First Round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.^{[3] [4]} On April 21, the Pelicans completed the playoff series sweep over the Trail Blazers, marking the franchise's first series win since 2008.^{[5] [6]} It also marked the first playoff series sweep in franchise history, and the first time that a team seeded sixth or lower had swept a First Round series since the NBA had expanded the First Round to a best-of-seven series.^[7] They advanced to the conference semifinals to face the second-seeded and defending champion and eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors, the team that swept them in the First Round of the 2015 playoffs and were also champions that year.^[8] The Pelicans lost the series in five games and were eliminated from the playoffs.^{[9] [10]}

Draft

See main article: 2017 NBA draft.

Prior to the NBA draft, the Pelicans had only one second round pick, having traded their first-round pick, rookie Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and the Philadelphia 76ers' original second round pick to the Sacramento Kings in a blockbuster trade for star center DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi.^{[11] [12]} On June 21, 2017, however, the Pelicans acquired the Washington Wizards' second round pick (No. 52 overall) in exchange for guard Tim Frazier.^[13] As a result, the Pelicans entered draft night with two second round and no first-round picks. On the night of the draft, the Pelicans traded away their second round pick (No. 40 overall) and cash considerations to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for the Hornets' second round pick (No. 31 overall).^[14] With that pick, the Pelicans selected Duke point guard Frank Jackson.^[15] With the No. 52 overall pick, the Pelicans selected Xavier point guard Edmond Sumner and traded him to the Indiana Pacers for cash considerations.^[16]

Standings

Conference

Game log

Preseason

|- style="background:#fbb;"| 1| October 3| Chicago| | Anthony Davis (24)| Cousins, Davis (10)| Rajon Rondo (8)| Smoothie King Center
16,962| 0–1|- style="background:#fbb;"| 2| October 6| @ Oklahoma City| | Anthony Davis (14)| Anthony Davis (7)| Jrue Holiday (6)| Chesapeake Energy Arena
N/A| 0–2|- style="background:#bfb;"| 3| October 8| @ Chicago| | Anthony Davis (37)| Anthony Davis (15)| DeMarcus Cousins (9)| United Center
17,523| 1–2|- style="background:#fbb;"| 4| October 13| @ Memphis| | Jordan Crawford (19)| Cunningham, Diallo (6)| Jordan Crawford (4)| FedExForum
N/A| 1–3

Regular season

|- style="background:#fcc;"| 1| October 18| @ Memphis| | Anthony Davis (33)| Anthony Davis (18)| Holiday, Moore (4)| FedExForum
17,794| 0–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 2| October 20| Golden State| | Cousins, Davis (35)| Anthony Davis (17)| Jordan Crawford (7)| Smoothie King Center
18,171| 0–2|- style="background:#cfc;"| 3| October 22| @ LA Lakers| | Anthony Davis (27)| Anthony Davis (17)| DeMarcus Cousins (8)| Staples Center
18,997| 1–2|- style="background:#fcc;"| 4| October 24| @ Portland| | DeMarcus Cousins (39)| DeMarcus Cousins (13)| Jrue Holiday (7)| Moda Center
19,446| 1–3|- style="background:#cfc"| 5| October 26| @ Sacramento| | DeMarcus Cousins (41)| DeMarcus Cousins (23)| Jrue Holiday (6)| Golden 1 Center
17,583| 2–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 6| October 28| Cleveland| | Anthony Davis (30)| Anthony Davis (14)| DeMarcus Cousins (10)| Smoothie King Center
18,539| 3–3|- style="background:#fcc;"| 7| October 30| Orlando| | Anthony Davis (30)| DeMarcus Cousins (12)| Jrue Holiday (8)| Smoothie King Center
14,004| 3–4|- style="background:#fcc;"| 8| November 1| Minnesota| | DeMarcus Cousins (35)| Anthony Davis (10)| Cousins, Davis, Holiday (6)| Smoothie King Center
14,788| 3–5|- style="background:#cfc;"| 9| November 3| @ Dallas| | Anthony Davis (30)| DeMarcus Cousins (20)| Jrue Holiday (8)| American Airlines Center
19,894| 4–5|- style="background:#cfc;"| 10| November 4| @ Chicago| | Anthony Davis (27)| Anthony Davis (16)| Jrue Holiday (6)| United Center
21,254| 5–5|- style="background:#cfc;"| 11| November 7| @ Indiana| | Anthony Davis (37)| Anthony Davis (14)| DeMarcus Cousins (6)| Bankers Life Fieldhouse
15,014| 6–5|- style="background:#fcc;"| 12| November 9| @ Toronto| | Jrue Holiday (34)| DeMarcus Cousins (15)| Jrue Holiday (11)| Air Canada Centre
19,800| 6–6|- style="background:#cfc;"| 13| November 11| LA Clippers| | DeMarcus Cousins (35)| DeMarcus Cousins (15)| Jrue Holiday (8)| Smoothie King Center
17,624| 7–6|- style="background:#cfc;"| 14| November 13| Atlanta| | E'Twaun Moore (24)| DeMarcus Cousins (16)| Cousins, Davis (7)| Smoothie King Center
14,631| 8–6|- style="background:#fcc;"| 15| November 15| Toronto| | DeMarcus Cousins (25)| DeMarcus Cousins (9)| Rajon Rondo (8)| Smoothie King Center
15,654| 8–7|- style="background:#fcc;"| 16| November 17| @ Denver| | Anthony Davis (17)| DeMarcus Cousins (6)| Jameer Nelson (9)| Pepsi Center
16,816| 8–8|- style="background:#cfc;"| 17| November 20| Oklahoma City| | Anthony Davis (36)| Anthony Davis (15)| Rajon Rondo (8)| Smoothie King Center
16,765| 9–8|- style="background:#cfc;"| 18| November 22| San Antonio| | Anthony Davis (29)| DeMarcus Cousins (15)| Davis, Rondo (4)| Smoothie King Center
17,539| 10–8|- style="background:#cfc;"| 19| November 24| @ Phoenix| | Anthony Davis (23)| DeMarcus Cousins (10)| Rajon Rondo (7)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,574| 11–8|- style="background:#fcc"| 20| November 25| @ Golden State| | Anthony Davis (30)| Anthony Davis (15)| Holiday, Rondo (6)| Oracle Arena
19,596| 11–9|- style="background:#fcc"| 21| November 29| Minnesota| | Jrue Holiday (27)| DeMarcus Cousins (10)| Rajon Rondo (7)| Smoothie King Center
15,555| 11–10|- style="background:#fcc"| 22| December 1| @ Utah| | DeMarcus Cousins (23)| DeMarcus Cousins (13)| Rajon Rondo (11)| Vivint Smart Home Arena
17,725| 11–11|- style="background:#cfc;"| 23| December 2| @ Portland| | DeMarcus Cousins (38)| Dante Cunningham (12)| Rajon Rondo (10)| Moda Center
18,730| 12–11|- style="background:#fcc"| 24| December 4| Golden State| | Jrue Holiday (34)| DeMarcus Cousins (11)| Rajon Rondo (11)| Smoothie King Center
17,004| 12–12|- style="background:#cfc;"| 25| December 6| Denver| | DeMarcus Cousins (40)| DeMarcus Cousins (22)| Holiday, Rondo (7)| Smoothie King Center
15,353| 13–12|- style="background:#fcc;"| 26| December 8| Sacramento| | DeMarcus Cousins (38)| DeMarcus Cousins (11)| Jrue Holiday (5)| Smoothie King Center
15,019| 13–13|- style="background:#cfc;"| 27| December 10| Philadelphia| | Jrue Holiday (34)| DeMarcus Cousins (9)| Rajon Rondo (18)| Smoothie King Center
16,878| 14–13|- style="background:#fcc;"| 28| December 11| @ Houston| | Jrue Holiday (37)| DeMarcus Cousins (14)| Rajon Rondo (12)| Toyota Center
18,055| 14–14|- style="background:#cfc;"| 29| December 13| Milwaukee| | DeMarcus Cousins (26)| DeMarcus Cousins (13)| Jrue Holiday (8)| Smoothie King Center
16,863| 15–14|- style="background:#fcc;"| 30| December 15| @ Denver| | DeMarcus Cousins (29)| Anthony Davis (12)| Jameer Nelson (7)| Pepsi Center
17,584| 15–15|- style="background:#fcc;"| 31| December 19| @ Washington| | Anthony Davis (37)| DeMarcus Cousins (13)| Jrue Holiday (5)| Capital One Arena
16,529| 15–16|- style="background:#cfc;"| 32| December 22| @ Orlando| | DeMarcus Cousins (26)| Cousins, Davis (11)| Rajon Rondo (8)| Amway Center
16,922| 16–16|- style="background:#cfc"| 33| December 23| @ Miami| | Ian Clark (19)| DeMarcus Cousins (7)| DeMarcus Cousins (8)| AmericanAirlines Arena
19,600| 17–16|- style="background:#cfc"| 34| December 27| Brooklyn| | Anthony Davis (33)| DeMarcus Cousins (14)| Rajon Rondo (25)| Smoothie King Center
16,707| 18–16|- style="background:#fcc"| 35| December 29| Dallas| | Anthony Davis (33)| DeMarcus Cousins (20)| Cousins, Rondo (8)| Smoothie King Center
16,878 | 18–17|- style="background:#fcc"| 36| December 30| New York| | Anthony Davis (31)| DeMarcus Cousins (19)| Rajon Rondo (12)| Smoothie King Center
16,947| 18–18|- style="background:#cfc"| 37| January 3| @ Utah| | Anthony Davis (29)| Anthony Davis (15)| Holiday, Moore (5)| Vivint Smart Home Arena
18,306| 19–18|- style="background:#fcc"| 38| January 6| @ Minnesota| | DeMarcus Cousins (23)| DeMarcus Cousins (15)| DeMarcus Cousins (5)| Target Center
18,978| 19–19|- style="background:#cfc"| 39| January 8| Detroit| | Anthony Davis (30)| Cousins, Davis (10)| Rajon Rondo (15)| Smoothie King Center
12,874| 20–19|- style="background:#fcc"| 40| January 10| @ Memphis| | DeMarcus Cousins (29)| DeMarcus Cousins (8)| Jrue Holiday (6)| FedExForum
14,312| 20–20|- style="background:#cfc"| 41| January 12| Portland| | Anthony Davis (36)| DeMarcus Cousins (19)| DeMarcus Cousins (8)| Smoothie King Center
17,003| 21–20|- style="background:#cfc"| 42| January 14| @ New York| | Anthony Davis (48)| Anthony Davis (17)| Cousins, Rondo (5)| Madison Square Garden
19,812| 22–20|- style="background:#cfc"| 43| January 16| @ Boston| | Anthony Davis (45)| Anthony Davis (16)| Rajon Rondo (8)| TD Garden
18,624| 23–20|- style="background:#fcc"| 44| January 17| @ Atlanta| | Jrue Holiday (22)| DeMarcus Cousins (14)| DeMarcus Cousins (7)| Philips Arena
10,894| 23–21|- style="background:#cfc"| 45| January 20| Memphis| | Jrue Holiday (27)| Anthony Davis (12)| Jrue Holiday (8)| Smoothie King Center
18,212| 24–21|- style="background:#cfc"| 46| January 22| Chicago| | DeMarcus Cousins (44)| DeMarcus Cousins (24)| DeMarcus Cousins (10)| Smoothie King Center
17,101| 25–21|- style="background:#cfc"| 47| January 24| @ Charlotte| | Davis, Holiday (19)| DeMarcus Cousins (13)| Cousins, Rondo (5)| Spectrum Center
14,588| 26–21|- style="background:#cfc"| 48| January 26| Houston| | Anthony Davis (27)| DeMarcus Cousins (13)| DeMarcus Cousins (11)| Smoothie King Center
17,186| 27–21|- style="background:#fcc"| 49| January 28| LA Clippers| | Anthony Davis (25)| Anthony Davis (17)| Jrue Holiday (7)| Smoothie King Center
16,378| 27–22|- style="background:#fcc"| 50| January 30| Sacramento| | Anthony Davis (23)| Anthony Davis (13)| Jameer Nelson (8)| Smoothie King Center
14,292| 27–23|- style="background:#cfc"| 51| February 2| @ Oklahoma City | | Anthony Davis (43)| Anthony Davis (10)| Rajon Rondo (13)| Chesapeake Energy Arena
18,203| 28–23|- style="background:#fcc"| 52| February 3| @ Minnesota| | Anthony Davis (38)| Nikola Mirotic (12)| Jrue Holiday (9)| Target Center
17,954| 28–24|- style="background:#fcc;"| 53| February 5| Utah| | Jrue Holiday (28)| Anthony Davis (11)| Rajon Rondo (8)| Smoothie King Center
14,293| 28–25|- style="background:#bbb;"| —| February 7| Indiana| colspan="4" |Postponed due to water leak in arena roof (March 21)| Smoothie King Center| |- style="background:#fcc;"| 54| February 9| @ Philadelphia| | Ian Clark (15)| Davis, Okafor (8)| Rajon Rondo (9)| Wells Fargo Center
20,489| 28–26|- style="background:#cfc;"| 55| February 10| @ Brooklyn| | Anthony Davis (44)| Anthony Davis (17)| Rajon Rondo (12)| Barclays Center
16,572| 29–26|- style="background:#cfc;"| 56| February 12| @ Detroit| | Anthony Davis (38)| Anthony Davis (10)| Jrue Holiday (12)| Little Caesars Arena
14,453| 30–26|- style="background:#cfc;"| 57| February 14| LA Lakers| | Anthony Davis (42)| Anthony Davis (15)| Jrue Holiday (11)| Smoothie King Center
15,436| 31–26|- style="text-align:center;"| colspan="9" style="background:#bbcaff;"|All-Star Break|- style="background:#cfc;"| 58| February 23| Miami| | Anthony Davis (45)| Anthony Davis (17)| Jrue Holiday (9)| Smoothie King Center
17,751| 32–26|- style="background:#cfc;"| 59| February 25| @ Milwaukee| | Jrue Holiday (36)| Anthony Davis (13)| Rajon Rondo (12)| Bradley Center
18,717| 33–26|- style="background:#cfc;"| 60| February 26| Phoenix| | Anthony Davis (53)| Anthony Davis (18)| Rajon Rondo (12)| Smoothie King Center
14,302| 34–26|- style="background:#cfc;"| 61| February 28| @ San Antonio| | Anthony Davis (26)| Anthony Davis (15)| Rajon Rondo (12)| AT&T Center
18,418| 35–26|- style="background:#cfc;"| 62| March 4| @ Dallas| | Jrue Holiday (30)| Cheick Diallo (15)| Rajon Rondo (10)| American Airlines Center
19,798| 36–26|- style="background:#cfc;"| 63| March 6| @ LA Clippers| | Anthony Davis (41)| Anthony Davis (13)| Jrue Holiday (17)| Staples Center
16,412| 37–26|- style="background:#cfc;"| 64| March 7| @ Sacramento| | Jrue Holiday (23)| Nikola Mirotic (10)| Jrue Holiday (8)| Golden 1 Center
17,583| 38–26|- style="background:#fcc;"| 65| March 9| Washington| | Darius Miller (20)| Nikola Mirotic (12)| DeAndre Liggins (5)| Smoothie King Center
18,143| 38–27|- style="background:#fcc;"| 66| March 11| Utah| | Anthony Davis (25)| Anthony Davis (11)| Jrue Holiday (10)| Smoothie King Center
18,062| 38–28|- style="background:#cfc;"| 67| March 13| Charlotte| | Anthony Davis (31)| Anthony Davis (14)| Rajon Rondo (17)| Smoothie King Center
15,507| 39–28|- style="background:#fcc;"| 68| March 15| @ San Antonio| | Jrue Holiday (24)| Anthony Davis (14)| Jrue Holiday (7)| AT&T Center
18,418| 39–29|- style="background:#fcc;"| 69| March 17| Houston| | Anthony Davis (26)| Anthony Davis (13)| Jrue Holiday (8)| Smoothie King Center
18,495| 39–30|- style="background:#cfc;"| 70| March 18| Boston| | Anthony Davis (34)| Anthony Davis (11)| Rajon Rondo (11)| Smoothie King Center
18,277| 40–30|- style="background:#cfc;"| 71| March 20| Dallas| | Anthony Davis (37)| Cheick Diallo (14)| Rajon Rondo (14)| Smoothie King Center
14,484| 41–30|- style="background:#cfc;"| 72| March 21| Indiana| | Anthony Davis (28)| Anthony Davis (13)| Rajon Rondo (6)| Smoothie King Center
14,148| 42–30|- style="background:#cfc;"| 73| March 22| LA Lakers| | Anthony Davis (33)| Anthony Davis (9)| Rajon Rondo (10)| Smoothie King Center
18,037| 43–30|- style="background:#fcc;"| 74| March 24| @ Houston| | Anthony Davis (25)| Cheick Diallo (9)| Jrue Holiday (4)| Toyota Center
18,055| 43–31|- style="background:#fcc;"| 75| March 27| Portland| | Anthony Davis (36)| Anthony Davis (14)| Jrue Holiday (11)| Smoothie King Center
15,426| 43–32|- style="background:#fcc;"| 76| March 30| @ Cleveland| | Jrue Holiday (25)| Anthony Davis (8)| Rajon Rondo (8)| Quicken Loans Arena
20,562| 43–33|- style="background:#fcc;"| 77| April 1| Oklahoma City| | Anthony Davis (25)| Anthony Davis (11)| Rajon Rondo (9)| Smoothie King Center
18,500| 43–34|- style="background:#cfc;"| 78| April 4| Memphis| | Anthony Davis (28)| Anthony Davis (12)| Rajon Rondo (13)| Smoothie King Center
16,521| 44–34|- style="background:#cfc;"| 79| April 6| @ Phoenix| | Anthony Davis (33)| Nikola Mirotic (16)| Jrue Holiday (10)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 45–34|- style="background:#cfc;"| 80| April 7| @ Golden State| | Anthony Davis (34)| Anthony Davis (12)| Rajon Rondo (17)| Oracle Arena
19,596| 46–34|- style="background:#cfc;"| 81| April 9| @ LA Clippers| | Anthony Davis (28)| Nikola Mirotic (16)| Jrue Holiday (10)| Staples Center
15,742| 47–34|- style="background:#cfc;"| 82| April 11| San Antonio| | Jrue Holiday (23)| Davis, Mirotić (15)| Rajon Rondo (14)| Smoothie King Center
18,573| 48–34

Playoffs

See also: 2018 NBA Playoffs. |- style="background:#cfc;"| 1| April 14| @ Portland| | Anthony Davis (35)| Anthony Davis (14)| Rajon Rondo (17)| Moda Center
19,882| 1–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 2| April 17| @ Portland| | Jrue Holiday (33)| Anthony Davis (13)| Holiday, Rondo (9)| Moda Center
20,066| 2–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 3| April 19| Portland| | Nikola Mirotic (30)| Anthony Davis (11)| Rajon Rondo (11)| Smoothie King Center
18,551| 3–0|- style="background:#cfc;"| 4| April 21| Portland| | Anthony Davis (47)| Davis, Mirotic (11)| Rajon Rondo (16)| Smoothie King Center
18,544| 4–0|- style="background:#fcc;"| 1| April 28| @ Golden State| | Anthony Davis (21)| Anthony Davis (10)| Rajon Rondo (11)| Oracle Arena
19,596| 0–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 2| May 1| @ Golden State| | Anthony Davis (25)| Anthony Davis (14)| Rajon Rondo (10)| Oracle Arena
19,596| 0–2|- style="background:#cfc;"| 3| May 4| Golden State| | Anthony Davis (33)| Anthony Davis (18)| Rajon Rondo (21)| Smoothie King Center
18,551| 1–2|- style="background:#fcc;"| 4| May 6| Golden State| | Anthony Davis (26)| Anthony Davis (12)| Rajon Rondo (6)| Smoothie King Center
18,513| 1–3|- style="background:#fcc;"| 5| May 8| @ Golden State| | Anthony Davis (34)| Anthony Davis (19)| Jrue Holiday (11)| Oracle Arena
19,596| 1–4

Player statistics

Regular season

|-| align="left"|^† || align="center"| SF| 22 || 0 || 273 || 47 || 9 || 11 || 3 || 103|-| align="left"|^† || align="center"| C| 14 || 0 || 121 || 37 || 2 || 1 || 2 || 18|-| align="left"| || align="center"| SG| 13 || 0 || 38 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 6|-| align="left"| || align="center"| SG| 74 || 2 || 1,455 || 127 || 110 || 33 || 10 || 551|-| align="left"| || align="center"| C| 48 || 48 || 1,737 || 617 || 257 || 79 || 76 || 1,210|-| align="left"| || align="center"| PG| 5 || 0 || 53 || 4 || 13 || 1 || 1 || 33|-| align="left"| || align="center"| SF| 51 || 24 || 1,115 || 193 || 26 || 27 || 16 || 253|-| align="left"| || align="center"| PF| 75 || 75 || 2,727 ||style=";"|832 || 174 || 115 || style=";"|193 || style=";"|2,110|-| align="left"| || align="center"| PF| 52 || 0 || 581 || 211 || 19 || 11 || 21 || 254|-| align="left"| || align="center"| PG| 7 || 0 || 55 || 2 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 15|-| align="left"| || align="center"| SF| 12 || 1 || 187 || 36 || 22 || 7 || 1 || 29|-| align="left"| || align="center"| SG| 81 || style=";"|81 ||style=";"| 2,927 || 365 || 486 ||style=";"| 123 || 64 || 1,537|-| align="left"|^‡ || align="center"| PG| 4 || 0 || 18 || 1 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 4|-| align="left"|^‡ || align="center"| SF| 4 || 0 || 19 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 5|-| align="left"|^≠ || align="center"| PG| 5 || 0 || 35 || 2 || 5 || 0 || 1 || 17|-| align="left"| || align="center"| PG| 27 || 3 || 244 || 26 || 21 || 10 || 4 || 44|-| align="left"| || align="center"| SF| style=";"|82 || 3 || 1,944 || 164 || 111 || 28 || 17 || 637|-| align="left"|^≠ || align="center"| PF| 30 || 11 || 872 || 246 || 41 || 29 || 26 || 439|-| align="left"| || align="center"| SG| style=";"|82 || 80 || 2,586 || 238 || 187 || 79 || 12 || 1,022|-| align="left"|^† || align="center"| PG| 43 || 0 || 897 || 96 || 156 || 79 || 76 || 221|-| align="left"|^≠ || align="center"| C| 26 || 19 || 353 || 120 || 8 || 8 || 25 || 221|-| align="left"| || align="center"| PG| 65 || 63 || 1,703 || 263 || style=";"|533 || 70 || 10 || 537|-| align="left"| || align="center"| PF| 3 || 0 || 12 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2|}After all games.^[17]
‡Waived during the season
^†Traded during the season
^≠Acquired during the season

Transactions

See main article: List of 2017–18 NBA season transactions.

Trades

June 21, 2017	To New Orleans Pelicans 52nd pick in the 2017 NBA draft^[18]	To Washington Wizards Tim Frazier
February 1, 2018	To New Orleans Pelicans Nikola Mirotić 2018 second round pick (from New Orleans via Chicago)	To Chicago Bulls Ömer Aşık Tony Allen Jameer Nelson 2018 Top 5 protected first-round pick Right to swap 2021 second round picks with New Orleans^[19]

Free agency

Additions

Player	Signed	Former team
Tony Allen^[21]	1-year contract worth $2.3 million	Memphis Grizzlies
Ian Clark^[22]	1-year contract worth $1.6 million	Golden State Warriors
Charles Cooke^[23]	Two-way contract	Dayton Flyers
Jalen Jones^[24]	Two-way contract	Maine Red Claws
Darius Miller^[25]	2-year contract worth $4.3 million	Brose Bamberg
Rajon Rondo^[26]	1-year contract worth $3.3 million	Chicago Bulls
Mike James	Two-way contract	Phoenix Suns
Emeka Okafor	Signed two 10-day contracts / 1-year deal	Delaware 87ers
Walter Lemon Jr.	Signed a 10-day contract	Fort Wayne Mad Ants

Subtractions

Player	Reason left	New team
Quinn Cook^[27]	Waived	Atlanta Hawks^[28]
Axel Toupane	Waived	Žalgiris Kaunas
Donatas Motiejūnas	Unrestricted free agent	Shandong Golden Stars
Hollis Thompson	Unrestricted free agent	Olympiacios Piraeus
Jalen Jones	Waived	Dallas Mavericks / Texas Legends
Mike James	Waived	Panathinaikos Athens

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

Player	Award	Date awarded	Ref.
DeMarcus Cousins	Western Conference Player of the Week	October 30, 2017	^[29]
Anthony Davis	Western Conference Player of the Week	November 27, 2017	^[30]
Anthony Davis	NBA All-Star starter (5th appearance)	January 18, 2018	^[31]
DeMarcus Cousins	NBA All-Star starter (4th appearance)	January 18, 2018
Anthony Davis	Western Conference Player of the Month (February)	March 1, 2018	^[32]
Anthony Davis	Western Conference Player of the Week	March 5, 2018	^[33]
Anthony Davis	Western Conference Player of the Month (March/April)	April 12, 2018	^[34]
Anthony Davis	All-Defensive First Team	May 23, 2018	^[35]
Jrue Holiday	All-Defensive First Team	May 23, 2018
Anthony Davis	All-NBA First Team	May 24, 2018	^[36]
Anthony Davis	NBA blocks leader (3rd time)	June 17, 2018	^[37]

Records

Season

• Anthony Davis set franchise records in:
  • Most blocks in a game
    • 10 in a loss against the Utah Jazz on March 11, 2018^[38]
  • Most blocks in a half
    • 6 – tied his own franchise mark on the same day.^[38]
  • Field goals in a season (780)^[39]
  • Points in a season (2,110)
  • Points per game (28.1)
• DeMarcus Cousins set a franchise record in:
  • Defensive rebound percentage in a season (30.9%)^[39]
• Rajon Rondo set franchise records in:
  • Most assists in a game
    • 25 in a win against the Brooklyn Nets on December 27, 2017.^[40]
  • Most assists in a quarter
    • 9 in a win against the Detroit Pistons on January 8, 2018, tying a franchise record.^[41]

Playoffs

• Anthony Davis set a franchise record in:
  • Most points in a playoff game
    • 47 in Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers.^[42]
• Rajon Rondo tied a franchise record in:
  • Most assists in a playoff game
    • 17 in Game 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Tied the record with Chris Paul.^[43]

Milestones

• On November 22, 2017, Anthony Davis reached 7,938 career points, moving him to second in points scored in franchise history after passing Chris Paul.^[44]
• On January 18, 2018, both Davis and DeMarcus Cousins were selected as NBA All-Star starters, which marked the first time since 2009 that multiple New Orleans players have been selected to the All-Star game. It was also the first time in franchise history that multiple players have started the All-Star game.
• On January 28, 2018, Davis reached 3,857 career rebounds, giving him the all-time franchise high in rebounds after passing David West.^[45]
• On February 2, 2018, Davis passed David West in points scored, giving him the all-time franchise high with 8,702.^[46]
• The Pelicans finished second in the Southwest Division, which was the highest since the 2007–08 season.
• The Pelicans finished first in the league in:
  • Total minutes played in a season (19,995)^[47]
  • Minutes played per game (243.4)^[48]

Playoffs

• The Pelicans clinched their first playoff berth since 2015.^[49]
• On April 14, 2018, the Pelicans won the first game in the First Round playoff series which marked the franchise's first playoff game win since the 2011 NBA playoffs.^[50]
• On April 21, 2018, the Pelicans completed the playoff series sweep over the Portland Trail Blazers, marking the franchise's first series win since 2008. It was also the first playoff series sweep in franchise history, and the first time that a team seeded sixth or lower had swept a First Round series since the NBA had expanded the First Round to a best-of-seven series.^[51]

Notes and References

1. News: Injury ends Cousins' season in Pelicans' win over Rockets. 2018-01-27. Boston.com. 2018-05-03. en-US.
2. News: New Orleans Pelicans earn second postseason berth in five seasons. USA TODAY. 2018-05-03. en.
3. Web site: NBA playoffs: Pelicans hold off Trail Blazers 97-95 in Game 1. Associated Press. Los Angeles Times. 2018-05-03.
4. News: Anthony Davis, Pelicans steal Game 1 in Portland. SBNation.com. 2018-05-03.
5. News: Brooms out: Pelicans sweep Portland, 1st playoff series win in a decade. 2018-04-22. WGNO. 2018-05-03. en-US.
6. News: New Orleans Pelicans sweep Portland Trail Blazers with 131-123 Game 4 win: Rapid Reaction. OregonLive.com. 2018-05-03. en-US.
7. News: No. 6 seed Pelicans make NBA playoff history with first-round sweep of Trail Blazers. USA TODAY. 2018-05-03. en.
8. News: Pelicans face the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals: Live updates. nola.com. 2018-05-03. en-US.
9. News: Pelicans eliminated from NBA playoffs. Team. WDSU Digital. 2018-05-10. WDSU. 2018-05-31. en.
10. News: Pelicans coach's final words after Warriors eliminated them: '1-2-3, Cancun'. 2018-05-09. For The Win. 2018-05-31. en-US.
11. News: DeMarcus Cousins Traded to Pelicans for Tyreke Evans, Buddy Hield and More. Polacek. Scott. Bleacher Report. 2018-05-03. en-US.
12. News: Kings agree to trade DeMarcus Cousins to Pelicans. USA TODAY. 2018-05-03. en.
13. News: Pelicans trade G Tim Frazier to the Washington Wizards for 2017 2nd round pick. NOLA.com. 2018-05-03. en-US.
14. News: Pelicans trade up in NBA Draft, select Duke guard Frank Jackson with 31st pick. NOLA.com. 2018-05-03. en-US.
15. News: Pelicans Select Frank Jackson with 31st Pick in 2017 NBA Draft New Orleans Pelicans BourbonStreetShots.com. 2018-05-03. en-US.
16. News: Pelicans trade No. 52 pick in NBA Draft to the Indiana Pacers. NOLA.com. 2018-05-03. en-US.
17. Web site: 2017-18 New Orleans Pelicans Roster and Stats. basketball-reference.com. June 25, 2020.
18. Web site: Pelicans Acquire 52nd Overall Pick in 2017 NBA Draft. NBA.com/pelicans. June 21, 2017. June 29, 2017.
19. Web site: Chicago Bulls trade Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans Pelicans. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc.. February 1, 2018. February 1, 2018.
20. Web site: Pelicans Re-Sign Jrue Holiday. NBA.com/pelicans. July 6, 2017. July 6, 2017.
21. Web site: Pelicans sign Tony Allen. NBA.com. September 15, 2017. September 15, 2017.
22. Web site: Pelicans sign Ian Clark. NBA.com/pelicans. August 3, 2017. August 3, 2017.
23. Web site: Pelicans sign Charles Cooke to two-way contract. NBA.com/pelicans. August 2, 2017. August 2, 2017.
24. Web site: Pelicans sign Jalen Jones to two-way contract. NBA.com/pelicans. August 2, 2017. August 2, 2017.
25. Web site: Pelicans Sign Darius Miller. NBA.com/pelicans. July 27, 2017. July 27, 2017.
26. Web site: Pelicans Sign Rajon Rondo. NBA.com/pelicans. July 20, 2017. July 20, 2017.
27. Web site: Pelicans waive Quinn Cook and Axel Toupane. NBA.compelicans. July 25, 2017. July 25, 2017.
28. Web site: Hawks Sign Point Guard Quinn Cook. NBA.com. September 6, 2017. September 6, 2017.
29. Web site: Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins named Western Conference Player of the Week. NBA.com. June 25, 2020. October 30, 2017.
30. Web site: Anthony Davis Named Western Conference Player of the Week. NBA.com. June 25, 2020. November 27, 2017.
31. Web site: LeBron James, Stephen Curry voted as captains for NBA All-Star Game. ESPN. June 25, 2020. January 18, 2018.
32. Web site: Anthony Davis Named Western Conference Player of the Month. nba.com. June 25, 2020. March 1, 2018.
33. Web site: Anthony Davis Named Western Conference Player of the Week. nba.com. June 25, 2020. March 5, 2018.
34. Web site: Anthony Davis Named Western Conference Player of the Month. nba.com. June 25, 2020. April 12, 2018.
35. Web site: Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday Earn All-Defensive First Team Honors. nba.com. June 25, 2020. May 23, 2018.
36. Web site: Anthony Davis Named to 2017-18 All-NBA First Team. nba.com. June 25, 2020. May 24, 2018.
37. Web site: 2017-18 NBA Regular Season: Blocks Per Game Leaders. landofbasketball.com. June 25, 2020.
38. Web site: Rubio, Jazz, spoil Davis triple-double, 116-99. ESPN. June 25, 2020. March 11, 2018.
39. Web site: New Orleans Pelicans Season Leaders. Basketball Reference. June 25, 2020.
40. Web site: Rajon Rondo becomes 7th NBA player with 25 assists in a game. ESPN. June 25, 2020. December 27, 2017.
41. Web site: After Davis' injury, Cousins lifts Pelicans past Pistons. ESPN. June 25, 2020. January 8, 2018.
42. Web site: Davis' 47 points leads Pelicans to sweep of Trail Blazers. ESPN. June 25, 2020. April 21, 2018.
43. Web site: Davis scores 35, Pelicans hold off Blazers 97-95 in Game 1. ESPN. June 25, 2020. April 14, 2018.
44. Web site: Davis, Cousins, power Pelicans' 107-90 rout of Spurs. ESPN. June 25, 2020. November 22, 2017.
45. Web site: Griffin leads Clippers past Cousins-less Pelicans, 112-103. ESPN. June 25, 2020. January 28, 2018.
46. Web site: Davis' 43 points lead Pelicans past Thunder 114-100. ESPN. June 25, 2020. January 28, 2018.
47. Web site: New Orleans Pelicans Stats - Basic (Totals). Basketball Reference. June 25, 2020.
48. Web site: New Orleans Pelicans Stats - Per Game (Totals). Basketball Reference. June 25, 2020.
49. Web site: New Orleans Pelicans earn second postseason berth in five seasons. USA Today. June 25, 2020.
50. Web site: NBA playoffs: Pelicans hold off Trail Blazers 97-95 in Game 1. Los Angeles Times. June 25, 2020.
51. Web site: No. 6 seed Pelicans make NBA playoff history with first-round sweep of Trail Blazers. USA Today. June 25, 2020.