New Orleans
Pelicans ROSTER
31-41 • 11th in WESTERN CONFERENCE
| NAME | POS | AGE | SALARY | HT | WT | COLLEGE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #14 | Brandon Ingram | SF | 24 | $29,467,800 | 6' 8" | 190 lbs | DUKE | |
| #4 | Devonte' Graham | PG | 26 | $11,000,000 | 6' 1" | 195 lbs | KANSAS | |
| #17 | Garrett Temple | SG | 35 | $4,910,000 | 6' 5" | 195 lbs | LSU | |
| #21 | James Nunnally | SF | 31 | N/A | 6' 7" | 208 lbs | UC SANTA BARBARA | |
| #0 | Jared Harper | PG | 24 | N/A | 5' 10" | 175 lbs | AUBURN | |
| #10 | Jaxson Hayes | C | 21 | $5,348,280 | 6' 11" | 220 lbs | TEXAS | |
| #17 | Jonas Valanciunas | C | 29 | $14,000,000 | 6' 11" | 265 lbs | N/A | |
| #3 | Josh Hart | SF | 26 | $12,000,000 | 6' 5" | 215 lbs | VILLANOVA | |
| #13 | Kira Lewis | PG | 20 | $3,822,240 | 6' 1" | 170 lbs | ALABAMA | |
| #8 | Naji Marshall | SF | 23 | $1,517,981 | 6' 7" | 220 lbs | XAVIER | |
| #6 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker | SG | 23 | $3,261,480 | 6' 6" | 205 lbs | VIRGINIA TECH | |
| #31 | Tomas Satoransky | SG | 29 | $10,000,000 | 6' 7" | 210 lbs | N/A | |
Trey Murphy | 21 | $3,053,760 | 6' 9" | 206 lbs | RICE UNIVERSITY | |||
| #32 | Wenyen Gabriel | PF | 24 | $1,762,796 | 6' 9" | 205 lbs | KENTUCKY | |
| #9 | Willy Hernangomez | C | 27 | $2,327,220 | 6' 11" | 250 lbs | N/A | |
| #1 | Zion Williamson | PF | 21 | $10,733,400 | 6' 7" | 284 lbs | DUKE |
Current Pelicans Roster Status
While the young core of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball remains intact for the New Orleans Pelicans, this squad underwent significant changes during the offseason. Below is a quick preview of a the new-look Pelicans side for the 2020-21 campaign.
The biggest offseason change for New Orleans came in the form of the departure of long-time servant Jrue Holiday. After seven long years with the Pelicans, the two-time All-Defensive guard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Holiday made his way to Milwaukee to join reigning back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokunmpo as part of a four-team blockbuster trade. As part of the deal, the Pelicans also parted ways with Sam Merrill (Bucks), R.J. Hampton (Denver Nuggets), Zylan Cheatham, Joshia Gray, Darius Miller, and Kenrich Williams, and two future second-round picks (all to the Oklahoma City Thunder).
In exchange, the Pelicans acquired Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams, and three future first-rounders. Quite the haul for New Orleans.
The Pelicans lost a few guys via free agency in Jhalil Okafor (signed with the Detroit Pistons), Derrick Favors (signed with the Utah Jazz), Frank Jackson (signed with Thunder), and E'Twaun Moore (signed with the Phoenix Suns). They did sign two free agents in Willy Hernangomez and Wenyen Gabriel.
New Orleans selected Alabama sophomore Kira Lewis Jr. as the 13th overall pick in the draft. The 6-foot-1 point guard isn't expected to feature too heavily in new coach Stan Van Gundy's rotation, but he is a great prospect for the future.
It is worth noting that the Pelicans committed their future to All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, signing him to a five-year max deal worth $158.3 million.
The Pelicans enter the 2020-21 season with a starting unit of Lonzo Ball, Bledsoe, Ingram, Zion, and Steven Adams. On paper at least, that's a lineup that could potentially compete with the best teams in the NBA.
Key players coming off the bench will be Josh Hart, J.J. Redick, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Nicolo Melli, and Jaxson Hayes.
new orleans pelicans Team Analysis
Who Did The Pelicans Recently Sign?
—New Orleans' most recent free agent signing comes in the form of 6-foot-9 power forward Wenyen Gabriel, who penned a two-year deal with the Pelicans for $3.4 million. Gabriel's deal stipulates that New Orleans will have a club option for the 2021-22 season.
Gabriel is entering his second year in the NBA this season. The former Kentucky standout started his career with the Sacramento Kings in 2019-20 before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers mid-season.
Gabriel played a total of 30 games last season, averaging 2.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.8 minutes of play.
Who Are The Pelicans Targeting In Free Agency?
—New Orleans brought on a couple of free agents in the offseason in Willy Hernangomez and Wenyen Gabriel.
Hernangomez, who plied his trade with the Charlotte Hornets last term, signed a one-year deal with the Pelicans for $1.7 million. The 6-foot-11 big man should provide some much needed depth to the squad's frontcourt.
Second-year power forward Gabriel signed a two-year deal worth $3.4 million, with the Pelicans holding a team option for 2021-22.
Other players who were linked to New Orleans in the offseason included Serge Ibaka, Harry Giles, and Denzel Valentine.
Who Did The Pelicans Most Recently Trade For?
—The Pelicans were one of the main players in what turned out to be a four-team blockbuster trade early in the offseason. The deal centered around former All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday, who was sent to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Along with Holiday, New Orleans also sent Sam Merill to Milwaukee. The Pelicans also traded Zylan Cheatham, Joshia Gray, Darius Miller, Kenrich Williams, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The fourth team in the deal was the Denver Nuggets.
For their part, the Pelicans brought in quite a haul in the trade. They acquired Eric Bledsoe, a 2020 first rounder, the rights to swap for Milwaukee’s 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick, the rights to swap for Milwaukee’s 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick. Moreover, the Thunder also sent over Steven Adams to New Orleans.
What Is The Best Pelicans Roster Of All-Time?
—Throughout the history of this franchise (starting in 2002, since their previous history in Charlotte belongs to the current Hornets franchise), the Pelicans have only gone as far as the second round in the playoffs twice. The first time was in 2008, and it comes as no coincidence that that squad represents the best Pelicans/Hornets team ever assembled.
That season, Chris Paul and Morris Peterson comprised the team's backcourt. Peja Stojakovic played the wing, while David West and Tyson Chandler formed the frontcourt. Bonzi Wells and Jannero Pargo were a couple of key players that came off the bench.
Coached by Byron Scott, finished with 56 regular season wins -- the most in franchise history. They defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, 4-1, but eventually fell to the San Antonio Spurs in the West Semis in seven games.
What Is The Pelicans' Salary Cap?
—The Pelicans made several key moves in the offseason that had a significant effect on their cap space.
For starters, they signed Brandon Ingram to a max deal worth $158.3 million over the next five years. This season the All-Star forward is slated to earn $27.3 million.
The Pelicans traded away Jrue Holiday and the $26.2 million he was set to pocket this term, but in exchange, they also brought in Eric Bledsoe ($16.9 million) and Steven Adams ($27.2 million).
New Orleans was unable to renew the deals of Derrick Favors and E'Twaun Moore, who both moved on during the offseason.
All in all, the Pelicans are estimated to have a total cap of $130 million for 2020-21, which puts them above the $109.1 cap by a whopping $20.9 million.
Top new orleans pelicans Roster Questions
Who Did The Pelicans Recently Sign?
—New Orleans' most recent free agent signing comes in the form of 6-foot-9 power forward Wenyen Gabriel, who penned a two-year deal with the Pelicans for $3.4 million. Gabriel's deal stipulates that New Orleans will have a club option for the 2021-22 season.
Gabriel is entering his second year in the NBA this season. The former Kentucky standout started his career with the Sacramento Kings in 2019-20 before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers mid-season.
Gabriel played a total of 30 games last season, averaging 2.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.8 minutes of play.
Who Are The Pelicans Targeting In Free Agency?
—New Orleans brought on a couple of free agents in the offseason in Willy Hernangomez and Wenyen Gabriel.
Hernangomez, who plied his trade with the Charlotte Hornets last term, signed a one-year deal with the Pelicans for $1.7 million. The 6-foot-11 big man should provide some much needed depth to the squad's frontcourt.
Second-year power forward Gabriel signed a two-year deal worth $3.4 million, with the Pelicans holding a team option for 2021-22.
Other players who were linked to New Orleans in the offseason included Serge Ibaka, Harry Giles, and Denzel Valentine.
Who Did The Pelicans Most Recently Trade For?
—The Pelicans were one of the main players in what turned out to be a four-team blockbuster trade early in the offseason. The deal centered around former All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday, who was sent to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Along with Holiday, New Orleans also sent Sam Merill to Milwaukee. The Pelicans also traded Zylan Cheatham, Joshia Gray, Darius Miller, Kenrich Williams, a 2023 second-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The fourth team in the deal was the Denver Nuggets.
For their part, the Pelicans brought in quite a haul in the trade. They acquired Eric Bledsoe, a 2020 first rounder, the rights to swap for Milwaukee’s 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick, the rights to swap for Milwaukee’s 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 first-round pick. Moreover, the Thunder also sent over Steven Adams to New Orleans.
What Is The Best Pelicans Roster Of All-Time?
—Throughout the history of this franchise (starting in 2002, since their previous history in Charlotte belongs to the current Hornets franchise), the Pelicans have only gone as far as the second round in the playoffs twice. The first time was in 2008, and it comes as no coincidence that that squad represents the best Pelicans/Hornets team ever assembled.
That season, Chris Paul and Morris Peterson comprised the team's backcourt. Peja Stojakovic played the wing, while David West and Tyson Chandler formed the frontcourt. Bonzi Wells and Jannero Pargo were a couple of key players that came off the bench.
Coached by Byron Scott, finished with 56 regular season wins -- the most in franchise history. They defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, 4-1, but eventually fell to the San Antonio Spurs in the West Semis in seven games.
What Is The Pelicans' Salary Cap?
—The Pelicans made several key moves in the offseason that had a significant effect on their cap space.
For starters, they signed Brandon Ingram to a max deal worth $158.3 million over the next five years. This season the All-Star forward is slated to earn $27.3 million.
The Pelicans traded away Jrue Holiday and the $26.2 million he was set to pocket this term, but in exchange, they also brought in Eric Bledsoe ($16.9 million) and Steven Adams ($27.2 million).
New Orleans was unable to renew the deals of Derrick Favors and E'Twaun Moore, who both moved on during the offseason.
All in all, the Pelicans are estimated to have a total cap of $130 million for 2020-21, which puts them above the $109.1 cap by a whopping $20.9 million.
