5:59pm: The signing is now official, according to NBA’s transactions log.
5:37pm: The Pelicans are signing forward E.J. Liddell to a new three-year, $6,224,049, with a team option in the third season, Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic tweets.
Liddell is having his two-way contract converted to a standard one. He suffered a torn right ACL in summer league last summer.
Liddell, a 6’6” forward, was the 41st pick in the 2022 draft out of Ohio State. Liddell occupied one of the Pelicans’ two-way slots last season despite his inability to play.
As The Athletic’s John Hollinger points out (Twitter link), handing Liddell a standard contract actually helps New Orleans in terms of the luxury tax. It’s cheaper for the Pelicans to give Liddell a minimum deal than signing another player on a veteran’s minimum to fill their 14th roster spot.
Liddell will return to action on Friday night when he returns to Las Vegas for the New Orleans Pelicans’ summer league opener, Rod Walker of the New Orleans Times Picayune reports.
“Wooh, lot of nerves,” Liddell said. “If you see me smiling, a lot of nerves. But just know (I’m) super excited to be out there.”
During a 2021/22 NCAA season in which he was named a Third Team All-American, an All-Big Ten First Teamer, and a Big Ten All-Defensive Team honoree, Liddell averaged 19.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.5 BPG and 2.5 APG for the Buckeyes.
Strange thumbnail photo.
Interesting choice of picture
New Orleans continues to deal with the aftermath of their completely asinine management of Liddell. For those who need a refresher, they put Liddell into summer league games before he signed his contract. (Strike 1) Then, they forced him back into a game after pulling him earlier for an in-game injury (Strike 2) Ever since then, they conceded to giving Liddell a two way contract knowing he would not play a game. And now, they give him a standard roster spot without having proven himself against any NBA competition. I suspect it’s all because they are trying to avoid a fat lawsuit.
Solid offer
What was the pic
It was from when he injured his ACL. Unfortunately the only two photos of him in a Pelicans jersey that our image provider has are from that moment. I changed it to an old Ohio State photo.
Oh well, that’s not as bad. I thought it was going to be something absurd. (See Kelly Tripucka’s penis being on a basketball card)