New Orleans makes an intriguing decision on Jordan Poole

After a difficult 0-3 start to the 2025-26 NBA season New Orleans Pelicans made a bold move Wednesday night, benching Jordan Poole. The top guard, who was expected to be a major offensive catalyst this year, came off the bench as rookie Jeremiah Fears took over as the Pelicans’ starting point guard. 122-88 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

The decision was the first major change of the season for head coach Willie Green, signaling a change in approach after New Orleans’ dismal start.

The Pelicans benched Jordan Poole after an 0–3 start, starting rookies Jeremiah Fears and DeAndre Jordan in a bold matchup against Denver.

Poole, who have struggled for efficiency and lost three games, watched from the bench as the Pelicans inserted Fears into the starting lineup alongside Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson and veteran center DeAndre Jordan, who also made his first start of the season.

“Oh yeah, Sion is back,” Athletic’s Will Guillory wrote before the game on X, formerly Twitter, but even with their star striker back, the offensive spark never came. Denver dominated from start to finish, fueled by Nikola Jokic’s fourth straight triple-double. The Pelicans were outscored by 34 and never found a rhythm offensively, shooting under 42% as a team.

Poole’s bench may have been about more than performance; it looked like a message. The former Warriors guard, acquired to provide immediate results, has yet to find his footing in New Orleans. Through three games, he averaged just 13.3 points on poor shooting and was often caught forcing shots early in the shot clock.

Fears, meanwhile, impressed the coaches with his poise and play beyond his years. Novak logged tough minutes in the loss, showing a glimmer of composure against one of the toughest defenses in the league.

For the Pelicans, the question now is whether this roster change is temporary or the start of a new direction. With Zion healthy and Herb Jones anchoring the defense, Green seems to prioritize balance and the movement of the ball over the names of the stars, a clear sign that responsibility is back in the building.

Whether Poole can embrace his new role and return to the starting five will be one of New Orleans’ early storylines to watch.