New Orleans Pelicans News

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Christian Koloko • C • Pelicans

Christian Koloko Inks Deal With Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans signed center Christian Koloko to a one-year deal on Tuesday, according to Michael Scotto. Koloko is a former second-round pick of the Toronto Raptors from 2022. He has bounced around to four different teams during his three years at the professional level. He played with three different organizations this past season and made a minimal impact during each stop. He figures to serve as a depth option who likely won't see the court unless a few injuries occur.

2 days ago

Kobe Bufkin • PG • Pelicans

Kobe Bufkin Lands One-Year Camp Deal With Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a one-year deal with guard Kobe Bufkin, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The No. 15 pick in 2023, Bufkin has played 43 NBA games across three seasons with the Hawks and Lakers, but he revived his stock last season, averaging 24.8 points on 41.9 percent from three for the G League's South Bay Lakers before dropping 21.3 per game in Summer League. This is a training camp deal, and he will battle for an open roster spot behind Dejounte Murray and Jeremiah Fears. Bufkin is a deep-dynasty flier, but he must make the team and earn minutes before he holds any redraft value.

4 days ago

Jaron Pierre Jr. • SG • Pelicans

Jaron Pierre Jr. Comes Home on a Pelicans Two-Way Deal

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jaron Pierre Jr. has agreed to a two-way deal with his hometown team, per Marc Stein, the No. 58 pick becoming the first New Orleans native the franchise has ever drafted. Pierre is a proven college scorer: he averaged 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 37.0 percent shooting from three in his lone SMU season, a year after winning Conference USA Player of the Year with 21.6 points a game at Jacksonville State. The feel-good story aside, a crowded New Orleans backcourt and a two-way tag point him toward the G League's new Laketown Squadron. His lack of an immediate path to NBA minutes keeps him entirely off the fantasy radar for now.

Jul 22

Trey Murphy III • SF • Pelicans | LeBron James • SF

Trey Murphy III's Trade Market Hangs on a Big Domino

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III remains on the trade block, but the market has quieted. The Athletic's John Hollinger reports that the chatter has cooled and may not pick back up until LeBron James chooses a team and the rest of the dominoes fall. New Orleans, coming off a 26-56 season, is reportedly asking for around three first-round picks. That steep price has kept Detroit, Golden State, and Cleveland interested without getting a deal done. Murphy holds fantasy value wherever he ends up. He posted career highs last season with 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 37.9 percent from deep and 88.6 percent from the line. A move into a clear-usage role, such as next to Cade Cunningham in Detroit, could raise his ceiling, while staying in New Orleans keeps him the team's top option. The one caveat is durability, since he has played just 57, 53, and 66 games over the past three seasons. Draft him as a mid-round building block and watch where he lands.

Jul 20

Hunter Dickinson • C • Pelicans

Hunter Dickinson Re-Signs With Pelicans on Two-Way Deal

New Orleans Pelicans center Hunter Dickinson re-signed with the team on a two-way contract, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot. The 25-year-old appeared in only five NBA games last season, averaging 2.4 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.4 assists. He was far more productive in the G League, where he posted 17.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. This two-way deal keeps him in New Orleans' developmental pipeline, but his fantasy ceiling is virtually non-existent. With Derik Queen, Yves Missi, and Karlo Matkovic firmly ahead of him on the depth chart, Dickinson will likely spend most of his time with the Birmingham Squadron. He remains completely off the fantasy radar unless multiple injuries decimate the Pelicans' frontcourt.

Jul 8

Yves Missi • C • Pelicans

Knicks Fail to Pry Yves Missi From Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi remains unavailable in trade talks after the New York Knicks made multiple rejected offers, according to Chris Haynes. New York is searching for center help after Mitchell Robinson agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Boston Celtics, but New Orleans views Missi as a vital core piece. The 22-year-old averaged 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 19.7 minutes last season. Staying put keeps Missi's path tied to the Pelicans' frontcourt, where his blocks and offensive boards are more useful than his scoring. He still needs steadier minutes to be more than a specialist.

Jul 3

Kevon Looney • C • Pelicans

Pelicans Expected to Move on From Veteran Center Kevon Looney

New Orleans Pelicans center Kevon Looney is expected to reach unrestricted free agency, with the team poised to decline his $8 million option for next season, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports. The three-time NBA champion spent his first 10 seasons in Golden State before signing a two-year deal with New Orleans last summer, but he never carved out a role. He appeared in just 21 games, eight as a starter, averaging 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 14.7 minutes. A departure would do little to reshuffle the rotation. The Pelicans already funneled the center minutes to rookie Derik Queen and Yves Missi, with Zion Williamson anchoring the four. Looney's fantasy value hinges on landing a real role elsewhere, which looks like a stretch for a non-scoring depth big.

Jun 27

Karlo Matković • PF • Pelicans

Pelicans Exercise Third-Year Option on Karlo Matkovic

Center/power forward Karlo Matkovic will be back in New Orleans next season. The Pelicans exercised their $2.30 million third-year team option on Matkovic, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. The floor-spacing big fills a real need for a New Orleans frontcourt short on shooting. He averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in just 14.7 minutes across 62 games while connecting on 60.4 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from three-point range. There's little standalone fantasy value at that workload, but he produced more when the rotation thinned, posting 9.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 22.3 minutes over his final 32 outings. Stuck behind Derik Queen and Yves Missi, Matkovic's value hinges on minutes. Should New Orleans decline Kevon Looney's separate option, he could carve out a larger role.

Jun 26

Trey Murphy III • SF • Pelicans

Warriors Continue to Eye Trey Murphy III

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III could be more obtainable during this transaction cycle, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. The Warriors have reportedly viewed Murphy as a long-term wing target, with his age, size, and fit in Golden State's system all part of the appeal. The 25-year-old took another step forward in 2025-26, averaging 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 47.0 percent from the field. A trade to Golden State could trim his shot volume, but his three-point shooting, defensive tools, and ability to play off stars would still give him a clear path to fantasy value in a more competitive environment.

Jun 19

Zion Williamson • PF • Pelicans

Zion Williamson to See More Versatile Role

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is expected to be used in a variety of different ways next season. New head coach Jamahl Mosley recently said he wants to help tap into Williamson's full potential. He continued by saying Williamson is a high-IQ player who can handle more playmaking responsibilities. Last season, Williamson averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 29.7 minutes per game in 62 contests. It sounds like Mosley is willing to give Williamson more responsibility on the court, which should mean higher fantasy value. The biggest problem has been keeping Williamson on the court. He has only played more than 60 games in a single season three times during his NBA career.

May 26

Zion Williamson • PF • Pelicans

Pelicans Not Interested in Trading Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is likely to remain part of the team's core in 2026-27. On Tuesday, Pelicans executive Joe Dumars announced that the team is not interested in trading the 2019 first-overall pick. "I'll get those calls," Dumars said. "And even when you say 'no' to people, like, 'No, we're not moving Zion,' within two hours it's out that you've had conversations about trading Zion. Listen, we have no intentions of doing that. We're going into the offseason looking forward to Zion coming back next year and playing great again next year." Williamson endured another injury-plagued season in 2025-26, making 62 appearances. He averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals. The two-time All-Star has two seasons remaining on a five-year,$193 million contract.

Apr 14

Derik Queen • C • Pelicans

Derik Queen has 30-Point, 22-Rebound Season Finale

New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Derik Queen erupted for 30 points, 22 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 41 minutes during Sunday's loss to Minnesota, closing his rookie season on a dominant note. With the Pelicans eliminated from playoff contention, Queen took on a featured role late, showcasing high usage and strong rebounding instincts. He closed the year on a tear with elevated production across the board, putting himself on the radar for next season.

Apr 13

Zion Williamson • PF • Pelicans

Zion Williamson to Remain Out on Sunday

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (knee) won't suit up for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Pelicans are out of playoff contention, so it's not shocking to see them holding out Williamson. This is the final game of the regular-season, so that's a wrap on his 2025-2026 season. Williamson finished the season averaging 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 29.7 minutes in 62 games. Derik Queen should play heavy minutes with a majority of the Pelicans players absent for this game. Kevon Looney will back him up, but Quenn is the better DFS play between the two.

Apr 12

Saddiq Bey • PF • Pelicans |

Herbert Jones • SF • Pelicans

Saddiq Bey, Herbert Jones Resting Friday

New Orleans Pelicans forwards Saddiq Bey (rest) and Herbert Jones (rest) have been ruled out for Friday's game against the Boston Celtics. Both were listed as questionable on the initial injury report. New Orleans is giving its reserves extended looks during the final week of the regular season, keeping Bey and Jones out of the rotation for a second consecutive game. Zion Williamson (knee), Trey Murphy III (ankle), Dejounte Murray (hand), and Yves Missi (finger) won't suit up either for Friday's tilt, so guys like Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole, and Derik Queen should take on leading roles.

Apr 10

Trey Murphy III • SF • Pelicans

Trey Murphy III Unavailable Against Celtics

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) won't be in the lineup on Friday against the Boston Celtics. He is dealing with a right ankle sprain and is skipping a third consecutive contest. Zion Williamson (knee) and Dejounte Murray (hand) are also out, so the trio of Jeremiah Fears, Jordan Poole, and Micah Peavy should lead the offense on Friday. All three performed well when they started together in Tuesday's win over Utah, combining for 94 of the team's 156 points.

Apr 10

Dejounte Murray • SG • Pelicans

Dejounte Murray Remains Out Friday

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (hand) will miss a fourth consecutive game on Friday against the Boston Celtics. It's also looking unlikely that he will play in the season finale on Sunday after picking up a hand injury. Jeremiah Fears has been on a tear since Murray departed the lineup and should be one of the stars of the show again on Friday night. The 19-year-old posted a franchise rookie record with 40 points in Tuesday's win over Utah and has averaged 29.0 points over the last three games, along with 5.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.7 steals.

Apr 10

Zion Williamson • PF • Pelicans

Zion Williamson Won't Suit Up Friday

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (knee) is listed as out for Friday's meeting with the Boston Celtics. The Pelicans are giving their fringe players a chance to impress late in the season, and they didn't play Williamson on Tuesday against Utah, even though he was in the lineup. Now, he will be inactive altogether, along with Yves Missi (hand). That should secure a significant role for Kevon Looney, who tallied seven points, 12 boards, six assists, and two steals in Tuesday's 156-137 win. Derik Queen will also have a clearer path to playing time in the frontcourt. He racked up 17 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and two blocks against Utah.

Apr 10

Trey Murphy III • SF • Pelicans

Trey Murphy III Out Sunday

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) will sit out Sunday's contest against the Orlando Magic. He has been ruled out due to an ankle sprain after initially being listed as questionable. With Dejounte Murray (hand) also unavailable, Yves Missi, Jeremiah Fears, and Micah Peavy could all enjoy bigger roles in this game. Missi stepped into the starting lineup for Murray on Friday against the Kings, and Fears could find himself joining him in the first unit on Sunday.

Apr 5

Dejounte Murray • SG • Pelicans

Dejounte Murray Misses Second Straight Game

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (hand) will miss Sunday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. He's nursing a left-hand contusion and won't be part of the action for a second consecutive game. Jeremiah Fears had an expanded role without Murray on Friday against Sacramento and looks set for an increased workload again. In Friday's game, Fears produced one of his best performances of the season, finishing with a team-high 28 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Yves Missi took Murray's spot in the starting lineup but had a relatively quiet outing with six points, seven rebounds, and two assists.

Apr 5

Karlo Matković • PF • Pelicans

Karlo Matkovic Remains Out Friday

New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Karlo Matkovic (back) will not play in Friday's game against the Sacramento Kings, marking his second straight absence. Derik Queen could continue to see expanded minutes after posting 12 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals, and one block in 28 minutes last game. Yves Missi may also benefit after recording six points, seven rebounds, and one block in 20 minutes. Queen looks like the more appealing short-term fantasy option for his all-around production, while Missi offers deeper league rebounding and defensive stat appeal.

Apr 3

New Orleans Pelicans News

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