Pelicans Make Two Roster Cuts Paving Way For Young Guard To Secure Last Roster Spot

Any time Alvarado misses will put a pinch on the Pelicans’ backcourt depth, as Murray already is sidelined. If Alvarado can’t go on opening night, which is 16 days away, it may give Jaden Springer the upper hand on the Pelicans’ last roster spot.

Fears will turn 19 on October 14 and likely needs some time adjusting to the NBA. So, he could spend time with the Pelicans G-League squad, Birmingham Squadron.

Fears struggled mightily in his debut, particularly with his shooting, shot selection, and ball handling. He was better in Game 2 as he scored 12 points, on 5 of 10 shooting, and three assists, along with two turnovers.

Jaden Springer Appears To Have Secured The Pelicans’ Last Roster Spot

Coming into training camp. It was thought that Springer was competing with Jalen McDaniels for the Pelicans’ last roster spot. Both players were training camp deals. However, the Pelicans announced early this evening that McDaniels and Garrison Brooks have been waived.

Springer’s deal calls for him to make $2.4 million. The Pelicans are $5.9 million below the hard cap at the first tax line, so if Springer makes the club, he will eat into that number. Expect that Springer’s deal will be non-guaranteed.

Springer is just 23 but has already played 170 games over four seasons. Springer appeared in 43 games with Utah and Boston last year, although he saw just nine minutes of action. After sitting out the first game with an ankle ailment, Springer scored five points on 50% shooting, grabbed four rebounds, and doled out two assists in eight minutes of action against SE Melbourne.

If Springer does indeed make the club, he could take some minutes away from Fears, assuming Alvarado misses time. Springer is athletic, plays hard, and defends the perimeter. He is not a huge scoring threat and lacks polish on the offensive end.

Meanwhile, McDaniels has spent 252 games in the NBA, although he spent most of last season in the G League. McDaniels did see a few minutes in four contests with Washington last season. He saw 15 minutes in the two Australian games, totaling three points and four rebounds.

McDaniels was considered the favorite for the 15th spot heading into camp due to his size and floor spacing. However, he is limited defensively and inconsistent as a playmaker.

McDaniels and Brooks Get Released

By waiving McDaniels and Brooks, New Orleans now has 19 players, with Christian Shumate and Springer being the only players on training camp deals. Shumate will eventually be waived, as he was signed with the express purpose of being assigned to Birmingham.

Brooks is likely headed to Birmingham. Brooks signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Pelicans on September 2 after spending the previous two seasons in Lithuania.  This was the 26-year-old center’s first training camp experience, and he appeared in one game, grabbing three boards in seven minutes of action.

McDaniels may head up in Birmingham, though Sportac has his contract as an Exhibit 9 deal, meaning he won’t earn a bonus if he plays for the Squadron.

Star Players In Australia

Zion Williamson was highly efficient and productive in limited minutes. Williamson scored in double figures in both games, averaging 11.5 points, on 61.5% shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks. Health has always been an issue for Williams, as he has played fewer than 60 games in four of his six seasons.

Saddiq Bey, who missed all of last season due to injury, knocked down a team-best four three-pointers at a 57.1% clip. Over the two games, Bey finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, and four assists while shooting 50% from the field. Bey is slated to play at small forward.

Yves Missi, a 2024-25 All-NBA Second team selection, was highly efficient around the rim and fantastic on the glass. Missi averaged 8.0 points, on 80% shooting, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 21 minutes.

Trey Murphy was fantastic in Game 1 of the trip, his only appearance. He poured 18 points, on 7 of 13 shooting, including 2 of 7 from deep, and three steals in 19 minutes. Murphy should be a go in the Pelicans’ next preseason game, as it was likely he sat out due to precautionary reasons.