Pelicans Secure DeAndre Jordan with One-Year Contract
The New Orleans Pelicans have officially signed center DeAndre Jordan to a one-year contract. This agreement, confirmed by the player’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, is a minimum-salary deal intended to bolster the team’s frontcourt amid recent injuries.
Details of the Contract
The contract was finalized on Thursday and is reflective of Jordan’s minimum salary, approximately $3.6 million, with a cap hit of about $2.27 million for the Pelicans. The signing comes after the team waived guard Jaden Springer, creating an opening on their standard 15-man roster.
About DeAndre Jordan
DeAndre Jordan is a seasoned veteran in the NBA, having played since 2008. At 37 years old, he brings extensive experience to the Pelicans. His career highlights include:
- Three-time All-NBA center
- Twice leading the league in rebounding
- Winning an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023
After appearing in over 1,100 regular-season games across seven teams, Jordan’s role has evolved. Last season, he played semi-regular minutes as a backup to Nikola Jokic, averaging 3.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game during the 2024/25 season.
Team’s Frontcourt Situation
The Pelicans are currently dealing with significant frontcourt injuries. Starting center Kevon Looney is sidelined due to a left knee sprain, while teammates Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic are questionable with their respective injuries. In this context, Jordan’s addition can provide much-needed depth to the roster.
Rookie Inclusion
Despite the injury challenges, rookie forward/center Derik Queen remains available. However, after missing the entire preseason due to wrist surgery, his immediate contribution may be limited. Queen logged only 15 minutes in the team’s season opener.
Future Considerations
Although Jordan’s contract is expected to be non-guaranteed, this allows the Pelicans some flexibility with their roster as they monitor the health of their frontcourt players. The decision to sign Jordan reflects the team’s strategic approach to addressing current challenges while keeping future options open.
