New Orleans

Pelicans

The Kings added DeMar DeRozan while the Spurs added Harrison Barnes. New Orleans seems more likely to give the 2024-25 season a go with him on the roster before accessing potential landing spots for Ingram.

The Pelicans began Sunday with two centers on standard contracts for next season (Missi and Daniel Theis), and they now have three. Karlo Matkovic’s signing was reported during Sunday’s game, giving the Pelicans three bigs to work with at this point in the offseason. Missi’s activity as a rebounder and defender is why he was selected 21st overall in last month’s draft, and he should be given every opportunity to win the starting job. If the rookie can do that, he’ll be a must-draft player in most leagues.

Reeves did not shoot the ball well from three (0-of-4) or the foul line on Sunday, but that should not damper his performances with the Pelicans. New Orleans has one standard contract slot available after signing Karlo Matkovic, and Reeves may be a prime candidate for that spot. He impressed in the Pelicans’ minicamp before summer league and has played well since the games began. However, minutes would be limited once the regular season starts, making Reeves a non-factor in most redraft leagues.

While Hawkins did lead all scorers with 24 points, this was not an efficient performance. In addition to shooting 6-of-18 from the field, the second-year guard was responsible for eight turnovers. Hawkins’ role in Las Vegas differs from the one he’ll likely have once the season begins, as the Pelicans have put him in position to make more plays with the ball in his hands. While that approach should aid in his development, the presence of Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum means Hawkins will remain a low-usage player when the games count.

While there were questions about what the Pelicans would do at the center position after losing Jonas Valanciunas in free agency, lead executive David Griffin sounded comfortable with the options at the team’s disposal. Matkovic, who played in 10 games for the franchise’s G League affiliate, was one of those options, and he’s played well enough to earn a standard contract. The third year of his deal will reportedly be a team option, and Matkovic could have value in deeper fantasy leagues this winter if he and rookie Yves Missi are ahead of Daniel Theis in the rotation.

New Orleans lost Jonas Valanciunas in free agency and traded Larry Nance Jr. to the Hawks as part of the Dejounte Murray deal, so Theis will provide some much-needed center depth. Rookie Yves Missi should still be viewed as the team’s starter, and Missi will be the preferred fantasy option unless we hear otherwise before the 2024-25 campaign tips off.

Puerto Rico will participate in the men’s basketball competition at the Summer Olympics for the first time since 2004, and Alvarado led the way in Sunday’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament final. The Pelicans guard takes on a vastly different role with Puerto Rico, taking on more scoring responsibilities. Alvarado led Puerto Rico in scoring while also knocking down four 3-pointers. While he only recorded one steal on the day, the point guard’s point-of-attack defense was crucial. Puerto Rico will compete in Group C in Paris, joining the United States, Serbia, and South Sudan.

Pelicans lead executive David Griffin hinted that significant changes were coming to the team’s roster after they were swept out of the playoffs. Ingram’s name has often been mentioned in the trade rumor mill, as he’s entering the final season of his current contract. Sacramento needs to increase its wing production, so it makes sense that the Kings would come up in the most recent Ingram rumor. Also, former Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry is part of the Sacramento front office, and Ingram’s emergence coincided with Gentry’s time in New Orleans.

Atlanta has officially broken up the point guard duo of Trae Young and Dejounte, which means that both should be elite fantasy options this season. Dejounte’s arrival in New Orleans will take the ball out of CJ McCollum’s hands and shift him to more of an off-ball role. Plenty more can still change, as Brandon Ingram is still expected to be moved. For the Hawks, Dejounte’s departure will open up minutes for Kobe Bufkin, as well as Daniels. Nance should fill in as the backup center, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they traded Clint Capela at some point this summer. The picks they acquired are the Lakers’ first rounder next season, as well as the least favorable first rounder between the Pelicans and Bucks in 2027. This move helps the Hawks recoup some draft capital, since they gave it all up to bring Murray to town in the first place.

After spending three years at Illinois State, Reeves transferred to Kentucky for the last two seasons. On a team littered with talented prospects, Reeves was the leading scorer and averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.5 threes per game. He wasn’t a great defender in college, and that will likely be an issue for him in the pros as well. However, he’s a dynamic shooter that can put the ball on the floor if needed. He’s an NBA-ready shooter, which makes him an enticing prospect. Orlando is shipping Reeves off to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he’ll look to provide a scoring spark off the bench. His offense will have to outweigh Dyson Daniels’ defensive impact for him to play a significant role, though.