DeMarcus Cousins Calls For the NBA to Relocate the New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have struggled mightily early in the 2025–26 campaign, going 2–9 through their first 11 games as they once again appear set to fail. This comes despite the team getting some major draft help from the NBA, including the No. 1 overall pick back in 2019 that landed them Zion Williamson.

Despite that, they've failed to make any type of consistent run in the Western Conference, as the team has truly been one of the worst in the NBA throughout their tenure, with no playoff success since becoming the Pelicans in 2013. Now, with all of the talk about the NBA looking to potentially relocate or expand to Seattle, Vegas, or other locations, former Pelicans big man DeMarcus Cousins has called on the league to move the Pelicans.

"It was time 5–6 years ago. Especially New Orleans. You go to the games, there's 36 people there... court side's $25.... Blow it up, move on... there are no fans."

Early in the 2025–26 season, there are just five teams with lower average home attendance than the Pelicans, and given their lack of overall success despite the players they've had in recent years, there's no doubt some cause for concern within the NBA's head office.

Ultimately, the NBA is rightfully looking to expand, as they've got the talent base to add at least another two teams, but given recent speculation, the Pelicans and Grizzlies are two teams that could potentially be relocated, and after Cousins' comments, this could become a genuine reality.