RADIO
Zion Williamson in Impeccable Shape Before Training Camp
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson reported to training camp in "impeccable" shape, according to general manager Joe Dumars. Dumars said on Monday, "You can't play 82 games and not be in great shape. And so we talked about him being in impeccable condition, and he has done that." The former first-overall pick has played in fewer than 50% of possible games throughout his NBA career, missing time due to foot and hamstring injuries. When healthy, he produces at a high level, averaging 23.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 31 minutes per game. Williamson said in his media availability, "I am not where I want to be... I am just not where I need to be and I'm not where I want to be." In 2026-27, Williamson is a high-risk, high-reward option, depending on whether he can stay healthy.
Source: Brett Martel
Source: Brett Martel
Julian Reese Lands Two-Way Deal with Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are signing forward/center Julian Reese to a two-way contract, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The 23-year-old went undrafted out of Maryland in 2025 before eventually earning a two-way deal with Washington, where he averaged 11.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 52.9 percent shooting across 13 games. Reese reunites with former Maryland teammate Derik Queen, but New Orleans already has Queen, Yves Missi, and several other options in a crowded frontcourt. His two-way deal should leave him splitting time between the NBA and G-League, limiting his fantasy appeal unless injuries open up a larger role.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Solomon Washington Joins Pelicans on Training Camp Deal
The New Orleans Pelicans have signed forward Solomon Washington to a training camp contract, according to Paul Garcia of The Spot Up Shot. Washington went undrafted in June before initially joining New Orleans as a free agent and playing with the team during Summer League. The former Maryland forward averaged 9.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.1 offensive rebounds, and 1.1 steals across 25 games last season, though he shot just 24.3 percent from three-point range. With Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, Yves Missi, and Karlo Matkovic already in the frontcourt mix, Washington has a steep climb to meaningful minutes. Since New Orleans owns his G-League rights, a developmental stint there looks like the most likely outcome for now.
Source: Paul Garcia
Source: Paul Garcia
Saddiq Bey Agrees to Three-Year Extension with Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey has agreed to a three-year, $55.5 million extension, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The fully guaranteed deal includes a trade kicker and runs through 2029-30. Bey missed all of 2024-25 after tearing his left ACL, then returned to average a career-high 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 threes in 31.2 minutes across 72 games. He finished third on New Orleans in scoring. Bennedict Mathurin's arrival gives new coach Jamahl Mosley another wing scorer alongside Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, which could trim Bey's touches. Still, Bey should retain a steady role and remain a useful source of points and threes.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Micah Peavy Traded to Grizzlies
The New Orleans Pelicans are trading guard/forward Micah Peavy to the Memphis Grizzlies alongside Jordan Hawkins, a future second-round pick, and a future second-round pick swap for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Peavy earned minutes as a rookie mostly through defense, averaging 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 15.0 minutes across 61 games. The 6-foot-7 wing closed the season with 21 points against Minnesota, but the jumper is still the swing skill after he shot 38.5 percent from the field and 25.9 percent from three. Memphis is rebuilding, which gives Peavy a path to compete for reserve wing minutes, but the roster crunch is real. His length can help in steals, though he needs the shot to come around before the fantasy appeal gets interesting.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Karlo Matkovic Goes 8-for-8 in Croatia's Rout of Latvia
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Karlo Matkovic scored 17 points on 8-for-8 shooting in Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia on Thursday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The 25-year-old needed just under 17 minutes to finish 7-for-7 inside the arc and 1-for-1 from deep, though he did not record a rebound, steal, or block. Mario Hezonja paced Croatia with 28 points and seven assists. Matkovic averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 14.7 minutes across 62 games last season while shooting 60.4 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from three. New Orleans picked up his $2.23 million option in June, but the frontcourt remains crowded with Zion Williamson, Yves Missi, and Derik Queen ahead of him for minutes. The efficiency is useful, but Matkovic stays off fantasy radars unless his Pelicans role grows.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Herbert Jones Eyes Shooting Bounce-Back
New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones enters 2026-27 as the team's biggest X factor, according to ESPN's season preview. The 2023-24 All-Defensive First Team selection has slipped offensively since that breakout, including 38.3 percent shooting from the field and 30.9 percent from three last season. He still averaged 8.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals in 28.4 minutes, keeping him useful when defensive stats matter. ESPN noted that a bounce-back year could make Jones a trade-deadline chip for draft compensation. That outcome would be worth tracking, as a move could open extra wing minutes for Saddiq Bey while pushing more creation toward Trey Murphy III.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Trendon Watford Lands with Pelicans
Free-agent forward Trendon Watford and the New Orleans Pelicans agreed to a one-year, $2.9 million deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 25-year-old heads to New Orleans after Philadelphia declined his $2.8 million team option for 2026-27. Watford averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 16.3 minutes across 53 games with the 76ers last season, including a 20-point, 17-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in November. His passing and frontcourt versatility give the Pelicans useful depth, but Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey, Yves Missi, Derik Queen, Karlo Matkovic, and DeAndre Jordan leave a crowded path to steady minutes. Watford is off fantasy radars unless injuries thin the rotation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
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.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
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.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
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.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
