Pelicans Should Integrate Rookie Micah Peavy Back Into Rotation

With the team out of playoff contention, New Orleans should use the final games to evaluate young players like Peavy.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:04pm

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The New Orleans Pelicans have less than 15 games remaining in the regular season before heading into the offseason. With the team already out of the playoff race, the Pelicans should use these final games to evaluate players and determine their long-term fit, including rookie forward Micah Peavy. Peavy received significant playing time earlier in the season but has fallen out of the rotation lately. The Pelicans should give Peavy more minutes to showcase his skills, especially with the team not having a first-round pick in the upcoming draft.

Why it matters

Evaluating young players like Peavy is crucial for the Pelicans, who are out of playoff contention this season. If the team considers trading veteran Herb Jones in the offseason, they'll need to see if Peavy can be a cheaper, long-term replacement. Giving Peavy more playing time will also help him develop his offensive game and build confidence.

The details

Peavy, a second-round pick, received extensive playing time in November when injuries opened up minutes. During that stretch, he averaged 17 minutes per game, scoring 5.5 points and grabbing 2.7 rebounds. He recorded a season-high four steals in a win over the Bulls. However, Peavy has fallen out of the rotation lately, with the return of Dejounte Murray and the continued availability of Herb Jones. With the Pelicans out of the playoff race, they should prioritize developing young players like Peavy for the rest of the season.

  • The Pelicans have 14 games remaining in the regular season.
  • Peavy received significant playing time in November, averaging 17 minutes per game.
  • Peavy last recorded double-digit minutes on February 4th against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The players

Micah Peavy

A rookie forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, drafted 40th overall in last year's draft. Peavy is known for his defense and versatility, but has struggled with his shooting consistency.

Herb Jones

A veteran forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, who signed a three-year extension with the team last offseason. Jones is a strong defensive player but has seen his three-point shooting decline this season.

Dejounte Murray

A veteran guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, who returned from a ruptured Achilles tendon earlier this season.

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What’s next

The Pelicans will need to evaluate Peavy's performance over the final 14 games of the season to determine if he can be a long-term, cost-effective replacement for Herb Jones if the team decides to trade the veteran forward in the offseason.

The takeaway

By giving Micah Peavy more playing time in the final stretch of the season, the Pelicans can properly evaluate the young forward's potential and see if he can be a cheaper alternative to the more expensive Herb Jones, who the team may consider trading this offseason.