Following New Orleans' 21-61 finish during its 2024-25 campaign, executive vice president David Griffin was fired and replaced by Joe Dumars. Dumars confirmed that he didn't have a mandate to move on from Williamson after he was hired.

Williamson's appearance for the Pelicans at the lottery was a signal the team is working with its best player as they enter a new phase.

NBA draft lottery will take place in Chicago on Monday night, deciding the order of the first 14 picks in this year's selection process. The New Orleans Pelicans have the fourth-best odds to win the No.