NEW ORLEANS — NBA free agency tipped off on Sunday, June 30, at 5 p.m. C.T.
Days before the free agency window opened, the Pelicans acquired All-Star guard Dejounte Murray.
The Pels sent Larry Nance Jr., Dyson Daniels, Cody Zeller, and two first picks to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Murray.
Murray was an All-Star in 2022. Last season, Murray averaged 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game.
On Monday, July 8, the Pelicans continued rebuilding their frontcourt by signing veteran center Daniel Theis to a one-year deal.
The Pelicans added another big man to the roster on Sunday, July 14. Their 2022 second-round Karlo Matković agreed to a three-year deal with the Pels.
No Longer Pels
Sunday night, the Pels lost their starting center to the Washington Wizards. According to ESPN, Valanciunas agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal.
The team also lost forward Naji Marshall. Marshall signed a three-year, $27 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
Another question mark remaining for the team this summer is Brandon Ingram. Ingram is up for a four-year extension this summer worth about $208 million. If two sides can't agree on an extension, Ingram could be traded.
Pelicans signings
Matković's deal is worth a three-year, $4.9 million contract, according to The Athletic. Last season, he played 10 games with the Pelicans G-League affiliate. Matković' averaged 17.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.8 blocks in 31.3 minutes per game. Prior to that, he played six seasons overseas for three different teams in Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia.
C Daniel Theis has agreed to a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, according to ESPN. Theis is entering his eighth NBA season. Last year, he finished the season with the Los Angeles Clippers. Theis averaged 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 59 games.
The team also picked up Jose Alvarado and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl's team options for next season.
Pelicans Draft Picks
They selected Yves Missi in the first round and Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves in the second round.
New Orleans traded two future pick swaps (2030 and 2031) to the Orlando Magic to select Reeves with the 47th pick.
Missi is a 6-foot-11 big man with a 7-5 wingspan who played just one year in college. He averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 34 games.
Reeves is a sharpshooter who spent three years at Illinois State before transferring to Kentucky. Last season, he averaged 20.2 points and shot 44.7% from three.
Other Notable NBA news
- Former New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul signs with the San Antonio Spurs.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope intends to sign a three-year, $66 million deal with the Orlando Magic
- James Harden plans to sign a two-year, $70 million contract to return to the Los Angeles Clippers
- Clippers working to trade Russell Westbrook
- Andre Drummond plans to sign a two-year, $10-plus million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers
- Klay Thompson joining the Dallas Mavericks
- Tobias Harris signs two-year deal with Pistons
- Buddy Hield is joining Golden State on a sign-and-trade deal guaranteed for two years and $21 million
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