Category: New Orleans Pelicans Blog

Pelicans blog – New Orleans Pelicans basketball blog

Sixers acquire draft rights to Pierre Jackson from Pelicans

The Philadelphia 76ers announced that they have acquired the rights to Pierre Jackson from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the 47th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Jackson was originally drafted 42nd overall in 2013 and was part of the trade between Philadelphia and New Orleans that netted the Sixers Nerlens Noel and the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft.

Jackson averaged 30 points, 7 assists, 2 steals, 2 rebounds and 1 block in 31 games for the NBA Development League’s Idaho Stampede in 2013-14. He scored a D-League single game record 58 points on February 4, 2014 and was named to the D-League’s Futures All-Star Roster in 2014. During his senior year at Baylor University, he was named First Team All-Big 12 and was named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2013 NIT.

Pelicans hope to land a 2014 draft pick

Here’s the New Orleans Times-Picayune reporting on the Pelicans:

The New Orleans Pelicans are heading into Thursday night’s NBA draft with no selection in the first or second rounds for the first time in 12 years. But that could change if the Pelicans are able to find a willing trade partner.

According to Pelicans coach Monty Williams, they have actively pursued options to get back in the NBA draft after surrendering their first-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers that was part of last year’s draft night trade.

”If there’s an opportunity to get in the draft, we’re going to look at it,” Williams said. ”The one thing we don’t want to do is be aggressive and put ourselves in a position to where we’re hamstrung for awhile and can’t make moves for the future.

”But our focus has been on the moves we think we can make, whether it be in the draft or free agency.We watched a lot of film and have had a lot of discussions with (general manager) Dell (Demps) and his group about what we can do to help our team.”

Tyreke Evans undergoes knee surgery, recovery time is 6-8 weeks

Tyreke Evans undergoes knee surgery, recovery time is 6-8 weeks

New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans underwent minor arthroscopic surgery yesterday to clean out scar tissue in his right knee, the team announced. Evans will begin rehab on his right knee immediately. His expected timetable for recovery is 6-8 weeks.

Evans appeared in 72 games this season and averaged 14.5 points, 5.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 28.2 minutes per game.

Eric Gordon might come off bench for Pelicans next season

Here’s the New Orleans Times Picayune reporting on the Pelicans:

Eric Gordon might come off bench for Pelicans next season

Going into next season, New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Eric Gordon could have to adjust coming off the bench instead of starting for the first time in his career.

With swingman Tyreke Evans emerging as a solid starter in the backcourt after Gordon missed the final 14 games because of a left knee injury, Pelicans coach Monty Williams said he has thoughts about Evans in a starting role, but it will be something under discussion throughout the offseason before a final decision is made.

Gordon, though, is gearing toward returning as a starter. When asked if he would feel comfortable assuming the team’s sixth man role he said in an email response Sunday,”I won’t get into that because I thought they brought me here to lead and set the tone for the team.

“I’ve got a lot to prove in my career and I’m still young (25).So the more durable I am will really show what I’m capable of,” said Gordon, who is the highest paid player on the Pelicans’ roster with two years remaining at $30.4 million.

Pelicans sign Melvin Ely, waive Greg Stiemsma

Pelicans sign Melvin Ely, waive Greg Stiemsma

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team waived center Greg Stiemsma and signed center Melvin Ely for the remainder of the season.

Ely (6-10, 260) has appeared in 373 games over eight NBA seasons, averaging 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game. The 6-10 center joins the Pelicans after playing the last two seasons for the Texas Legends in the NBA D-League, where he appeared in 78 games (74 starts) and averaged 13.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per game. In the 2013-14 season, Ely totaled 15.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 41 appearances and was selected to the 2014 NBA D-League All-Star Game.

Stiemsma appeared in 55 games (20 starts) this season for the Pelicans and averaged 2.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 18.3 minutes per game. The three-year veteran holds career averages of 3.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 16.0 minutes per game.

Ely will wear No. 4 and will be available for tonight’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Pelicans sign forward James Southerland

Pelicans sign forward James Southerland

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has signed forward James Southerland for the remainder of the season.

Southerland (6-8, 221) joins the Pelicans after playing for the NBA D-League’s Los Angeles D-Fenders in 2013-14. The Syracuse product appeared in 42 games (14 starts) with the D-Fenders this season and averaged 14.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in 28.6 minutes per game.

Prior to his release, the 6-8 small forward appeared in one game earlier this season with the Charlotte Bobcats.

Southerland will wear No. 31 and will be available for tonight’s contest against Oklahoma City.

Ryan Anderson will not return to play this season for Pelicans

Ryan Anderson will not return to play this season for Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that Ryan Anderson will miss the remainder of the season due to a herniated cervical disc. Anderson was injured on January 3, 2014 in a game against the Boston Celtics.

After consulting with a team of physicians, it has been determined that surgery will provide Anderson the best opportunity to have a full recovery. Anderson will undergo surgery on April 8, 2014.

In 22 games this season, Anderson averaged 19.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 36.1 minutes per game. The sixth-year veteran holds career averages of 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 357 games.

A glance at Pelicans free agency

Here’s the New Orleans Times-Picayune with some free agency insight from Pelicans general manager Dell Demps:

Demps said in free agency this upcoming summer, they are not likely to pursue a maximum-money free agent like they did last year when they offered a four-year, $44 million contract to swingman Tyreke Evans before acquiring him in a sign-and-trade deal from the Sacramento Kings.

”Last year was our opportunity to go on the free-agent market,’’ Demps said. “We’re very far under the luxury tax and we’ll still have opportunities to use money to add players to our group. But we’re currently not going to be a cap team; we’re not going to be able to go get a max free agent.And so our plan is to continuously add pieces to our group to make our team the best possible team we can be.’’