Pelicans Struggle to Establish Clear Alpha as Borrego Draws From Spurs Experience

New Orleans' young core of Zion Williamson, Saddiq Bey, and Trey Murphy III are taking turns leading the offense as the team tries to find its identity.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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With Dejounte Murray sidelined for much of the season, the New Orleans Pelicans have been unable to establish a clear offensive hierarchy. Head coach James Borrego, drawing from his time as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, is allowing Zion Williamson, Saddiq Bey, and Trey Murphy III to take turns leading the offense as the team tries to figure out its identity.

Why it matters

The Pelicans' inability to establish a clear alpha on offense has contributed to their struggles this season, as they sit well out of the playoff picture. However, Borrego sees this as an opportunity for the team's young core to develop chemistry and find their roles, similar to how the Spurs' Big Three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker evolved over time.

The details

Borrego is taking a hands-off approach, allowing Williamson, Bey, and Murphy III to share the offensive load and find what works best for the team. While this has led to some inconsistency, the coach believes it will pay dividends in the long run as the players learn to read and react to each other on the court.

  • Dejounte Murray has been sidelined for most of the 2026 season recovering from an Achilles injury.
  • The Pelicans have gone 6-4 since the All-Star break, but have only beaten one top-six seed in 2026 and just three since Borrego took over as head coach.

The players

James Borrego

The Pelicans' head coach, who previously served as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and has two NBA championship rings.

Zion Williamson

A young star forward for the Pelicans who is part of the team's core alongside Saddiq Bey and Trey Murphy III.

Saddiq Bey

A versatile wing player for the Pelicans who is taking on a larger role in the offense with Dejounte Murray out.

Trey Murphy III

A promising young forward for the Pelicans who is also part of the team's core group of players.

Dejounte Murray

The Pelicans' starting point guard who has been sidelined for most of the 2026 season due to an Achilles injury.

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What they’re saying

“I think the best teams in the league, the teams that are chasing titles, winning titles, advancing in the playoffs, they have a clear pecking order in general.”

— James Borrego, Head Coach (clutchpoints.com)

“Our group, we're not quite there yet. We're trying to figure this out. I think right now the luxury is that we don't really know, and our opponents don't know.”

— James Borrego, Head Coach (clutchpoints.com)

“We're going to find the right matchup; it's my job to help them find that advantage. But the guys are recognizing it, they're trusting it.”

— James Borrego, Head Coach (clutchpoints.com)

What’s next

The Pelicans will continue to work on establishing their offensive identity and finding the right balance between their young core players as they look to finish the season strong and build momentum for the future.

The takeaway

While the Pelicans' lack of a clear alpha on offense has contributed to their struggles this season, Borrego's approach of allowing Williamson, Bey, and Murphy III to share the load could pay dividends in the long run as the team's young core develops chemistry and learns to play off of each other.