New Orleans Pelicans
History 2003-2021 (19 seasons)

Teams New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans were established as the New Orleans Hornets in the 2002–03 season when then-owner of the Charlotte Hornets, George Shinn, relocated the franchise to New Orleans. Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the franchise temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City, where they spent two seasons officially known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. The team returned to New Orleans full-time for the 2007–08 season. In 2013 the franchise announced it would rename itself the Pelicans, effective after the conclusion of the 2012–13 season. The Charlotte Hornets' name, history, and records from 1988 to 2002 were returned to its original city to be used by the then Charlotte Bobcats franchise, which subsequently became the Charlotte Hornets in 2014. In 18 seasons of play since the original franchise relocated from North Carolina, the Louisiana franchise has achieved an overall regular season record of 671–771, and has qualified for the playoffs seven times. Their achievements include two playoff series victories and one division title.

The Pelicans were established as the New Orleans Hornets in the 2002–03 season when then-owner of the Charlotte Hornets, George Shinn, relocated the franchise to New Orleans. Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the franchise temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City, where they spent two seasons officially known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. The team returned to New Orleans full-time for the 2007–08 season. In 2013 the franchise announced it would rename itself the Pelicans, effective after the conclusion of the 2012–13 season. The Charlotte Hornets' name, history, and records from 1988 to 2002 were returned to its original city to be used by the then Charlotte Bobcats franchise, which subsequently became the Charlotte Hornets in 2014. In 18 seasons of play since the original franchise relocated from North Carolina, the Louisiana franchise has achieved an overall regular season record of 671–771, and has qualified for the playoffs seven times. Their achievements include two playoff series victories and one division title.

2015 New Orleans Pelicans

2003-2021 (19 seasons)

New Orleans Pelicans Team History

All-time franchise record

704-818 (.463)

0 championships in 0 appearances

Franchise History

2014-2021

New Orleans Pelicans (NBA)

2006-2007

New Orleans/OKC Hornets (NBA)

2003-2013

New Orleans Hornets (NBA)

Top Seasons

Year Record Result

2018 48-34 Lost Conference Semifinals

2011 46-36 Lost First Round

2009 49-33 Lost First Round

2008 56-26 Lost Conference Semifinals

2003 47-35 Lost First Round

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Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result

2021 31-41 Missed Playoffs

2020 30-42 Missed Playoffs

2019 33-49 Missed Playoffs

2018 48-34 Lost Conference Semifinals

2017 34-48 Missed Playoffs

View All Pelicans Seasons

1st Round Draft Picks

Year Rd/Pick Player

2021 1 / 10 Ziaire Williams SF

2020 1 / 13 Kira Lewis Jr. PG

2019 1 / 1 Zion Williamson PF

2016 1 / 6 Buddy Hield SG

2013 1 / 6 Nerlens Noel

View All Pelicans Draft Picks

Longest Serving GM's

Tenure Years General Manager

2011-19 9 Dell Demps

2006-10 5 Jeff Bower

2003-04 2 Bob Bass

2005 2 Allan Bristow

2020-21 2 Trajan Langdon

View All Pelicans General Managers

Team Owners

Tenure Years Owner

2018-21 4 Gayle Benson

2013-18 6 Tom Benson

2011-12 2 National Basketball Association

2003-10 8 George Shinn

View All Pelicans Owners

Related Content

Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring New Orleans Pelicans History

F i l t e r & S o r t

New Orleans Pelicans Media Guidepublication

New Orleans Pelicans Media Guide

23 issues 2003-2025

This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...