Feb 23, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guards Jerome Robinson (center left) and Lester Quinones (25) react after a three point basket by guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Former Warriors Player Signs With Pelicans

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated Mar 2, 2025 3:32 PM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans are an underwhelming 16-44 through 60 games this season, sitting in 14th place in the Western Conference. With an overload of injury concerns, the Pelicans have effectively treated their 2024-25 campaign as a throwaway and are now looking toward the future.

With 22 games left in the season and no hopes of a playoff push, the Pelicans should be building up their young core as much as possible to close out the season. In doing so, New Orleans is taking a chance on a former Golden State Warriors guard Lester Quinones, signing him to a two-way contract.

Guard Lester Quinones has agreed to a two-way NBA deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, agent Scott Nichols of Rize Management told ESPN. Quinones played for the 76ers earlier this season after spending two years in Golden State.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 2, 2025

The 24-year-old guard went undrafted in 2022 before spending two seasons with the Warriors, shining in the G League. Quinones then found a new opportunity with the Philadelphia 76ers, but the franchise waived him in December.

Quinones has already played 22 regular season games with the Birmingham Squadron in the G League, averaging 22.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals. The G League standout will get a chance for some NBA opportunity in New Orleans under his new two-way deal, and could certainly shine under his new contract.

Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Quinones' best NBA season came with the Warriors as a sophomore in 2023-24, averaging 4.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game. The 6-foot-5 guard has shown promise, and the Pelicans could have certainly found a G League gem to add to their roster.

This article first appeared on New Orleans Pelicans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: