In 1987, the NBA awarded an expansion team to Charlotte named the Charlotte Hornets. After relocating in 2002, the New Orleans Hornets played their first regular season NBA game against the Utah Jazz, New Orleans' original NBA franchise.

Never in New Orleans Pelicans franchise history has a player worn number 7 because it was retired for NBA legend "Pistol Pete" Maravich at halftime of the team's very first game. While Maravich did play for the New Orleans Jazz before the team was moved to Utah, and is one of the greatest players in New Orleans basketball history, some have questioned whether his number should be retired at all since he never played for the Pelicans.

Zion Williamson was drafted by the Pelicans with the first pick of the 2019 NBA draft. Although he tore his meniscus during the preseason of his rookie year, he would return just three months later. With just 19 games before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Williamson still managed to do what no rookie had ever done with a full season, scoring 20+ points in 13 consecutive games.

Paul Silas led the New Orleans Hornets to a 47-35 record in their very first season, but he was fired after a first round playoff loss.

Due to the devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina upon the communities of southeastern Louisiana, the Hornets franchise temporarily relocated their operations to Oklahoma City in 2005-06 and 2006-07. During this time, the franchise was known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.

On January 24, 2013, the franchise announced it would rename itself the Pelicans, effective after the conclusion of the 2012-13 season. The Charlotte Hornets' name, history, and records from 1988 to 2002 were returned to its original city to be used by the then Charlotte Bobcats franchise, which subsequently became the Charlotte Hornets, starting May 20, 2014.

Chris Paul finished the 2005-06 season leading all rookies in points, assists, steals, and double-doubles, and became only the second rookie in NBA history to lead the league in total steals. With final averages of 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year, falling just one vote shy of winning the award unanimously.

Anthony Davis' 2014-15 season was impressive, finishing the season with an average of 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks. He led the league in player efficiency rating with 30.89, and set a franchise record with 200 blocked shots.

On January 22, 2018, DeMarcus Cousins had 44 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists in a 132-128 double overtime win over the Chicago Bulls. He also drained five three-pointers, had four steals, went 13/14 from the foul line and logged a career-high 52 minutes. Asked what was the most impressive number from that gaudy stat line, Cousins immediately responded, "The minutes." Then added, laughing "My strength coach had the nerve to ask me if I wanted to lift after this game. If I had some energy, we would've fought."

Anthony Davis set a franchise record with 2,099 points in 2016-17, but he topped it the following season (2017-18) with 2,110 points.