Pelicans 2024-25 Betting Preview: Prediction, Roster Projection

Following last year’s first-round exit, the New Orleans Pelicans added Dejounte Murray to take the next step in a loaded Western Conference.

NBA futures odds are available at the online sportsbook, including New Orleans Pelicans odds for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Pelicans Futures Odds

Win Total: 45.5
Southwest Division: +425
Western Conference: +2000
NBA Championship: +4000

Despite the addition of Murray, the NBA odds market has a similar view of this year’s Pelicans.

New Orleans is +5000 to win the title, which is the same price as last offseason. The Pelicans are +350 to win the Southwest division after being +240 last year.

The Pelicans’ win total has climbed one game after winning 49 games last year.

Pelicans Offseason Moves

It’s been a busy offseason for the Pelicans, and they might not be done yet.

Additions

Departures

The Pelicans sent two first-round picks, including the Los Angeles Lakers’ pick in 2025, to the Atlanta Hawks for Murray. Larry Nance Jr., E.J. Liddell, and Dyson Daniels were also sent to Atlanta in the deal.

Losing Daniels’ defensive contributions will be especially difficult, but the Pelicans added a talented playmaker in Murray, who is 27 years old. He averaged a career-best 22.5 points per game last season.

The Pelicans could trade Brandon Ingram before the season, as they look for a center upgrade after losing Jonas Valančiūnas. If not, Zion Williamson could see more minutes in that position this year.

Pelicans 2024 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Under 45.5 Wins (-110)

The Pelicans made the playoffs last year as the No. 8 seed after going 1-1 in the play-in tournament. 

In a typical year, they might not have needed the play-in to notch a playoff berth after winning 49 games to clear their preseason over/under of 44.5.

It marked the first time since 2017-18 that the Pels had cleared their win total. They finished under their preseason win total four times, not counting a COVID-shortened campaign.

But it’s difficult to expect a similar campaign from the Pelicans, especially with the West getting even more challenging; the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs are all lurking after missing the play-in last year.

Many of the top teams in the Western Conference have a center to lean on, which could prove to be a mismatch against New Orleans. The loss of Daniels will also be more impactful than most realize.

I have a hard time seeing the Pels win 46-plus games this year.

2024-25 NBA Team Previews & Predictions