Saddiq Bey Could Be the Pelicans’ X-Factor

Amid a chaotic Pelicans offseason, one addition to the roster slid under the radar: the acquisition of small forward Saddiq Bey.

The Pelicans landed Bey in the trade that sent CJ McCollum to the Wizards. While Jordan Poole was the centerpiece of the deal, Bey’s arrival shouldn’t be overlooked.

The fifth-year forward missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in 2024. That injury raises questions about his potential effectiveness. However, at just 26 years old, Bey still has the chance to return stronger and provide New Orleans with quality 3-and-D minutes.

There is no shortage of questions regarding this year’s Pelicans team, and Bey’s health is one of them. Still, his age suggests he’s entering his athletic prime, and if he can regain form, he could prove to be more than just a throw-in.

New Orleans’ addition of Bey, while not groundbreaking, could pay dividends for a young, inexperienced team.

Bey’s Road to the Pelicans

After two seasons at Villanova, Bey entered the 2020 NBA Draft as one of the most polished prospects. He had one of the highest floors of any player in the class, and he proved that right away.

After the Detroit Pistons selected him with the 19th overall pick, it didn’t take long for him to carve out a role as an above-average defender and floor spacer.

He earned All-Rookie First Team honors in his first season. He averaged 12.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from three. Bey’s above-average shooting, combined with his ability to guard multiple positions, made him a valuable member of the Pistons from the jump.

Bey’s second year in the Motor City was more of the same, but with a noticeable dip in three-point percentage. He did, however, drop 51 points in a game against the Orlando Magic—one of the most random 50-point performances of all time.