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The Portland Trail Blazers have waived center Norvel Pelle, it was announced today by General Manager Joe Cronin.
Pelle was originally signed to a contract on August 3, 2022.
Per the Oregonian, “Pelle, 29, has played in 40 NBA games over the past three seasons with zero starts. He went undrafted in 2014 and has spent several years in the G League. He played three games last season with Utah while on a 10-day contract.”
The New York Knicks on Friday signed center Norvel Pelle to a 10-day contract.
Pelle, 6-10, 231-pounds, holds career averages of 2.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.21 blocks over 9.4 minutes in 28 games with the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings. Pelle registered two or more blocks in 12 of his 28 appearances, including a season-high four blocks on Nov. 29, 2019 at New York. He appeared in one playoff game for Philadelphia during the 2019-20 season.
In addition to the NBA, the Antigua and Barbuda-native has also played professionally in Italy, Lebanon, Taiwan and in the NBA G League with the Delaware Blue Coats and Canton Charge. In 86 career NBA G League games (38 starts), Pelle averaged 8.8 points on 63.6-percent shooting, 6.2 rebounds and 2.27 blocks in 18.3 minutes and earned NBA G League All-Defensive Team honors for the 2018-19 season.
The roster now stands at 16 with two two-way players.
The Brooklyn Nets have signed free agent center Norvel Pelle.
Pelle (6’10”, 231) spent the 2019-20 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, originally signing a two-way contract with the team on July 2, 2019, before having his contract converted to a standard deal on Feb. 7, 2020. In 24 games off the bench, Pelle recorded averages of 2.4 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 9.7 minutes per game. He registered multiple blocks in 11 of the 24 games he saw action in, including a season-high four blocks on Nov. 29, 2019, at New York. He also appeared in one playoff game for the Sixers in their first round playoff series against Boston.
Per the New York Post, “the Nets have been looking for interior help since trading away center Jarrett Allen in the megadeal for James Harden. While they’ve been linked with a number of veteran Cleveland big men like Andre Drummond and JaVale McGee, those are only targets. Pelle is a Net, albeit a low-risk, high-upside flier who brings a 7–foot-3 1/2 wingspan, athleticism and rim protection.”
Prior to his NBA career, the 27-year-old played professionally for six years (2013-19), competing overseas in Italy, Lebanon and Taiwan and in the NBA G League in four stints with the Delaware Blue Coats. In 83 career NBA G League games (38 starts), Pelle averaged 8.7 points on 63.5 percent shooting from the field, 5.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 18.1 minutes per contest and earned NBA G League All-Defensive Team honors at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season.
Pelle was born in Antigua and Barbuda, attended high school in California and has played for the Lebanese national team.