Category: New Orleans Pelicans Blog

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Pelicans sign Daniel Theis

The New Orleans Pelicans recently signed free agent center Daniel Theis.

Theis, 6-8, 245, appeared in 60 games (three starts) with the Pacers and Clippers during the 2023-24 season, averaging 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game.

Over his seven-year NBA career, Theis has appeared in 373 games (151 starts) for Boston, Chicago, Houston, Indiana and the LA Clippers, averaging 7.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 blocks in 19.1 minutes per contest. The native of Salzgitter, Germany, holds career shooting averages of .541 from the field, .331 from deep and .718 from the free throw stripe.

Pelicans promote Bryson Graham to general manager position

The New Orleans Pelicans announced yesterday that Bryson Graham has been promoted to general manager and Jon Moul has been hired as senior director of cap and strategy.

“Over his 14 NBA seasons, Bryson has built a stellar reputation throughout the NBA,” stated Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin. “First and foremost, he is recognized for the strength of his character. His work ethic, basketball acumen, leadership ability and eye for talent have contributed immeasurably to our growth as a franchise. I couldn’t be happier to see him assume the role of general manager of the New Orleans Pelicans.

“We are equally thrilled to welcome Jon to our organization and look forward to adding his experience, creativity and knowledge to our front office.”

Graham enters his 15th season with the Pelicans, his first as general manager after serving the previous five seasons as assistant general manager. During his tenure, Graham has served as one of the organization’s key talent evaluators of players at both the professional, collegiate, and international levels, assisting with the team’s year-round preparation for the NBA draft, free agency and trades.

Pelicans sign Izaiah Brockington to 10-day contract

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed guard Izaiah Brockington to a 10-day contract.

Brockington, 6-4, 196, has appeared in 40 games this season with the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, averaging 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 30.3 minutes per contest.

New Orleans’s roster now stands at 18 players, including three two-way players.

Pelicans trade Kira Lewis Jr. to the Pacers

The New Orleans Pelicans announced have traded Kira Lewis Jr. and a 2024 second round pick to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for cash considerations.

Lewis Jr., 6-2, 175, who was selected by New Orleans with the 13th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, appeared in 118 games across four seasons with the Pelicans and averaged 5.4 points, 1.8 assists and 1.3 rebounds per contest.

Some key Pelicans players feel at home when playing in Charlotte

Per the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

Friday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets was a homecoming for multiple New Orleans Pelicans players.

Brandon Ingram grew up in Kinston, North Carolina, a working class town in the Eastern part of the state. Trey Murphy is from Durham, North Carolina. Zion Williamson, a South Carolina native, also spent time in Durham; a former Duke player, Williamson played his long season of college basketball there.

The Pelicans, stocked with talent that developed in North Carolina, beat the Hornets 112-107 for their third consecutive win Friday. Williamson scored 21 points and snagged a season-high 11 rebounds as New Orleans improved to 2-0 on its three-game road trip and 15-11 on the season.

FULL ARTICLE

Pelicans beat Kings in NBA In-Season Tournament quarterfinals

Per the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

The New Orleans Pelicans trailed the Sacramento Kings by 11 points when Jose Alvarado checked in midway through the first quarter. By the time Alvarado subbed back out, the Pelicans had not only erased that deficit — they had pulled ahead by six.

Alvarado came up with two steals and two blocks in his first stint on the floor. His energy plays helped shift the momentum of Monday’s game.

The Pelicans overcame a wobbly start to defeat the Kings 127-117 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Their win in the first stage of the In-Season Tournament knockout round earned them a trip to Las Vegas. On Thursday, the Pelicans will face the winner of Tuesday’s game between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers in the In-Season Tournament semifinals…

Ingram poured in 17 of his 30 points after halftime. Ingram also chipped in with eight rebounds and six assists.

FULL ARTICLE

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson suits up in back-to-back games

Per the Times-Picayune:

or the first time in almost a year, Zion Williamson suited up for the New Orleans Pelicans on the second night of a back-to-back.

Williamson, who scored 12 points in the Pelicans’ win Friday against the San Antonio Spurs, was active for the Pelicans when they faced the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Williamson closed the first half in Chicago strong, scoring eight consecutive points.

The Pelicans had an eight-point lead at the break, but they could not hold onto it against a bad Bulls team. In the third quarter, the Pelicans got outscored by 15 points, which was their undoing in a 124-118 loss to the Bulls.

FULL ARTICLE

Pelicans medical updates on CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today the following medical updates:

CJ McCollum, who was diagnosed with a small pneumothorax in his right lung, was re-examined yesterday. Medical imaging showed positive healing. He will be re-evaluated at a later date.

Jose Alvarado, who sustained a right ankle sprain during an offseason workout, continues to make good progress in his return to play progression. Alvarado has returned to light on-court work and is expected to return to full team practice in the next 1-2 weeks.