Latest news with #Pelicans
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pelicans' Zion Williamson gets $39.4 million contract update
Zion Williamson isn't going anywhere. At least, not yet. The New Orleans Pelicans had to decide by this week whether they'd guarantee Williamson's $39.4 million salary for the 2025-26 season. According to The Athletic, they've chosen to indeed guarantee the deal. Here's the breakdown from The Athletic's William Guillory: If the Pelicans had placed Williamson on waivers before Tuesday, they would've been on the hook for only a portion of his $39.4 million salary for the upcoming season. The final two seasons of his contract would have also been wiped off the books. Instead, New Orleans remains committed to its oft-injured star, hoping he can pick up where he left off last season and again show potential as a franchise cornerstone. Given his extensive injury history, the Pelicans included stipulations to Williamson's current contract to protect the team in case the former No. 1 pick continued to miss significant time due to injuries or ongoing issues with conditioning. Twenty percent of Williamson's salary for each season becomes guaranteed if he passes all six of his weigh-in checkpoints during the prior season, another 40 percent if he plays in at least 41 games in the previous season, an additional 20 percent if he plays in at least 51 and the final 20 percent if he plays in at least 61 games. MORE: LeBron James trade, buyout rumors take 180-degree turn Williamson played in 30 games in 2024-25. Still just 25 years old, Williamson shone brightly on the court. He averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and a career-high 5.3 assists per game. Williamson has often seemed to be involved in trade rumors in his time in New Orleans. It's a tricky situation, given Williamson's immense talent but also propensity to get hurt. In the end, the Pelicans couldn't really choose to get rid of him for nothing. His contract is locked in for this season, and they can figure out how to proceed from here. MORE NBA NEWS: Syracuse legend Carmelo Anthony named greatest college basketball player of the millenium Lakers don't want former No. 1 pick in a trade Victor Wembanyama's real reason for training with Chinese monks revealed Pacers' All-Star seeking NBA comeback after 2 years missed from injury Yang Hansen has seized his first NBA opportunity Bronny James' voice sounds exactly like LeBron's
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pelicans rookie Derik Queen out at least 3 months after surgery for torn wrist ligament
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Pelicans rookie Derik Queen is likely to miss at least the start of training camp after having surgery Friday to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist. Queen was hurt Tuesday while playing in an NBA Summer League game. The Pelicans said he would be evaluated again in approximately 12 weeks, which would be after camps have begun. The procedure Friday was to address a torn scapholunate ligament. It was performed by Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles. The 6-foot-9 Queen was the Big Ten freshman of the year after averaging 16.5 points for Maryland. His buzzer-beater against Colorado State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament sent the Terrapins into the Sweet 16, where they lost to eventual national champion Florida. He was taken with the No. 13 pick in the draft by Atlanta and the Pelicans acquired his rights in a trade. ___ AP NBA: The Associated Press
Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Pelicans Leave Summer League Believing 'Sky Is The Limit' For Jeremiah Fears
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 12: Jeremiah Fears #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives against Bronny ... More James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) Getty Images Jeremiah Fears made a living in the paint at Summer League. He is a blur with the ball in his hands. His ability to quickly shift gears, snap a crossover dribble, and leave his defender in the dust stands out. So did his struggles. The six-foot-four guard is only 182 pounds. When he elevates for a layup, contact tends to turn what should be two points into a miss, negating the impressive nature of his dash to the rim. In the New Orleans Pelicans' 94-81 loss to a noticeably improved Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers, Fears finished with 15 points on 5/21 shooting. He faired 4/9 in the restricted area and went 0/3 in the paint. "I like the aggressiveness, but we have to make some layups," said Corey Brewer, the Pelicans' head coach in Las Vegas. "He has to look at [the] film and make rim decisions. You have to be able to make it or kick it out." Understanding what Summer League is all about, especially for a top prospect like Fears, who New Orleans selected seventh overall, Brewer noted, "Rather him do it now than later." Fears reclassified to join the collegiate ranks quicker; he doesn't turn 19 until October. As Brewer told Forbes after the former put 22 points on the board and dished out four assists in a 113-104 victory vs. the Indiana Pacers on Friday, it's paramount to maintain perspective about his development. "Every game, he's learning, it's new," Brewer told Forbes. "He's going to get better and better. By game 40, 50 next year, he's going to be a totally different player." Center Hunter Dickinson, who joined New Orleans on a two-way deal on the heels of this year's NBA Draft, stressed a similar sentiment while gushing about what Fears' future might hold. "He's so talented, but then people [have] got to remember, he's so young, too. He's 18 years old and [has] got so much potential," Dickinson expressed to Forbes. "He's already a really good player now. So, sky's the limit for him." Pelicans see encouraging growth from Fears at Summer League In five games in Sin City, Fears averaged 5.0 turnovers. Entering Saturday's Summer League contests, that is the most among those to suit up for at least four, per He coughed the ball up five times in the Pelicans' Las Vegas finale against the Pacers. But in a sign of his competitive character, the former Oklahoma Sooners star was the only top-seven pick from this year's draft not to miss a matchup. He utilized those reps to flash signs of growth as a facilitator whom New Orleans can trust to take care of the ball. "His decision-making got a lot better," Brewer told Forbes. "[In the] first two games to the last game, he made a lot better reads. He got guys open shots. So, he's only going to continue to get better. He's only 18." That's also an area Brewer pointed to while telling Forbes where he wants to see Fears grow his game after leaving Las Vegas. "His decision-making," said Brewer. "It's the rim reads, coming out [of] the pick-and-roll reads, but it's anything. Every young player has to go through it. There's going to be growing pains for him, even during the year this year. Game-to-game, he's going to be learning." As Fears adds muscle and experience, his ability to get to the basket will become increasingly problematic for opponents. He has already proven that he can pile up points at the free-throw line. The Illinois native generated 6.4 free throws per tilt at Summer League. Entering Saturday's matchups, that was the eighth-most, per Granted, one shouldn't lose sight of the caliber of competition he faced. While Fears is a score-first guard, as he acclimates to playing on basketball's highest level, his ability to orchestrate New Orleans' offense will also grow. He was far from the most active off-ball player in this environment, but as his last name and No. 0 jersey combination suggest, he is fearless. The former Sooner will crash the glass, especially when his defender doesn't box him out. Fears parlayed three offensive rebounds into multiple baskets against Indiana in his Sin City finale. It's another example of his competitive character. Whether it was reclassifying or staying on the floor throughout Summer League, Fears' willingness to challenge himself is the other trait that bodes well for him maximizing his potential. Between that, offensive abilities that would shine in any environment, and an understanding of what will come with time, the Pelicans are understandably bullish on Jeremiah Fears' future.
Fox News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Pelicans Rookie Derik Queen Sidelined at Least 3 Months After Wrist Surgery
New Orleans Pelicans rookie Derik Queen is likely to miss at least the start of training camp after having surgery Friday to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist. Queen was hurt on Tuesday while playing in an NBA Summer League game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Pelicans said he would be evaluated again in approximately 12 weeks, which would be after camps have begun. The procedure on Friday was to address a torn scapholunate ligament. It was performed by Dr. Steven Shin in Los Angeles. The 6-foot-9 Queen was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after averaging 16.5 points for Maryland. His buzzer-beater against Colorado State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament sent the Terrapins into the Sweet 16, where they lost to eventual national champion Florida. He was taken with the No. 13 pick in the draft by Atlanta, and the Pelicans acquired his rights in a trade. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
3 takeaways: Robert Baker makes case for Boom; RayJ Dennis, Enrique Freeman finish strong summer
Forward Robert Baker scored 26 points and posted 10 rebounds to lead the Pacers to a 113-104 win against their Pelicans in their fifth and final game in the NBA Summer League this season. The Pacers finished Summer League play 3-2. The Pelicans finished 0-5. Forward Phillip Wheeler added 19 points for the Pacers. Point guard RayJ Dennis posted 15 points and 11 assists. Forward Enrique Freeman had 14 points and 10 rebounds and guard Keisei Tominaga had 12 points. Insider: Ranking Pacers' most important players for 2025-26 Here are three key takeaways. Robert Baker has been bouncing back and forth between the G League and international basketball since graduating from Harvard as a 4.5 points-per-game career scorer in 2020. There's obviously not space for him with the Pacers as all 15 standard contracts appear to be spoken for and there are four players battling for the three two-way contracts. However, the multi-talented 6-10 forward made a case he deserves to be on a professional roster somewhere for the 2025-26 season, and the Noblesville Boom would seemingly be lucky to have him. Baker took advantage of the opportunities in Game 5 of the Summer League and scored his 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-10 behind the arc. He's been a willing shooter throughout the event, hitting 2-of-7 3s in his first three games, but this time he found a rhythm and stuck with it. His other seven field goals all game in the paint, and he showed he could finish at the rim with either hand and showed good touch in the mid-paint area. He hit a wild turnaround jumper right before the buzzer in the third quarter and got a friendly roll to make it happen. Baker also made a difference on the glass with his 10 rebounds including nine on the defensive end. He added three assists, two steals and two blocks and showed good awareness as a pick-and-roll defender as well, showing a capacity to switch and keep ball-handlers in front of him. In 25 minutes and 38 seconds off the bench, Baker posted a +15 plus-minus rating. RayJ Dennis sat out Thursday's game against the Knicks, but the Pacers apparently decided they wanted to see him play in another game at the point and he got an even more extended look with guards Kam Jones, Taelon Peter and Quenton Jackson all sitting out as well as wing Johnny Furphy. Dennis continued to show command of the Pacers' offense, keeping the ball popping as he did in the Pacers first and third games in Summer League. Whipping passes with either hand, he dished out 11 assists against just three turnovers as the Pacers posted 29 total assists on 42 field goals against 11 turnovers. He scored his 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting including 3-of-7 from 3-point range with those 3s coming from serious distance with one of them coming from just inside the logo. The former Baylor point guard is apparently a safe bet to maintain the two-way contract he got last season and he's done enough in the Summer League to make the case he can be trusted to run the offense in at least limited minutes for the Pacers as they navigate the 2025-26 season without injured Tyrese Haliburton. Meanwhile Enrique Freeman continues to make the best case he can to hang on to his two-way spot as he finished Summer League with four straight double-doubles. He scored his 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting with all of his buckets coming in the restricted area. He grabbed 10 rebounds with three on offense and added an assist, a steal and two blocks. He finishes the Summer League with 16.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game and he shot 72.5% from the floor. Like Baker, Phillip Wheeler made a case for a job during his time with the Pacers and there might be a place for him on the Boom. The 6-8 wing with four years of G League work under his belt at age 23 scored 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting. He hit 1-of-2 3-pointers and also knocked down all six of his free throws. He draws a lot of those because of how hard he goes at the rim. Wheeler was relentless on the dribble drive throughout the Summer League. He started all five games and averaged 13.2 points per game, shooting 52.9% from the floor and knocking down 28-of-31 free throws. He also blocked six shots in five games with athleticism and wingspan helping him protect the rim. Again, there doesn't seem to be any space for him at the NBA level, but someone should be able find a spot for him and that someone could be the Boom. Thursday, July 10: Pacers 116, Cavs 115 (takeaways; box score) Saturday, July 12: Thunder 104, Pacers 85 (takeaways; box score) Monday, July 14: Bulls 114, Pacers 105 (takeaways; box score) Thursday, July 17: Pacers 91, Knicks 88 (takeaways; box score) Friday, July 18: Pacers 113, Pelicans 104
