Pelicans Sign Kaiser Gates to Two-Way Contract

Gates, 6-foot-7, spent three college seasons playing for Xavier, averaging 5.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.7 minutes per game. The 26-year-old went undrafted in 2018, but has played four seasons in the G League. Last season with the Long Island Nets, in 24 regular season games, Gates averaged 14.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, while shooting 55.5% from 3-point range.

Important to remember, for the start of the 2023-24 season, the Pelicans will be missing key wing player Trey Murphy III (14.5 ppg on 40.6% 3P), after he underwent successful surgery to repair a meniscus tear earlier this month. Hoping to fill a role, Gates is a skilled combo forward, who can shoot lights out from three and will look to contribute to a Pelicans team that is setting out to improve off their 42-40 record last season. 

To note, after signing Dereon Seabron and Gates, the Pelicans still have one two-way slot available, and according to sources that spot is most likely to be filled by rookie Liam Robbins, who the Pelicans signed in June.