JULY 9: Theis’ deal with New Orleans is now official, according to the NBA’s transaction log.
JULY 8: Free agent center Daniel Theis will join the Pelicans on a one-year contract, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link).
His salary will be roughly $3MM, according to Kelly Iko of The Athletic (Twitter link). That suggests it’s probably a minimum-salary deal, which would be worth $2,800,834.
The well-traveled big man will provide an inside presence for a New Orleans team that just lost Jonas Valanciunas, who was shipped to Washington in a sign-and-trade deal. Theis could be in contention for a starting spot, depending on how the Pelicans fill out the rest of their roster.
New Orleans will be the sixth team for Theis, who averaged 6.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 59 games with the Clippers last season. He signed with L.A. in mid-November after being waived by Indiana.
Theis, 32, began his career with Boston in 2017. He also had short stays with Chicago and Houston, along with a return to the Celtics late in the 2021/22 season.
Theis was one of the stars of the German team that went undefeated while winning the gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. He will represent Germany again at this year’s Summer Olympics.
Ya, this made a lot of sense. Good fit for them for multiple reasons. I do hope to see herb jones used all over the floor more, but Theis fits what they need at the 5, including next to Zion
I would’ve rather the C’s got hi instead of Kornet that’s just my opinion
Kornet played well in his role last year. Plus, I doubt Theis wanted to go back to Boston after being traded from there twice…
The Pelicans has no size with Theis only 6’9 playing center and Zion only 6’6 at power forward.
Well, they did draft the 6’11” Center Missi from Baylor.
Plus, I think they have good length, strength, and can provide good defense from other spots in their rotation, especially from their wing spots.
They have Missi, Jones, Murray, Murphy, Ingram, JRE, Theis, and Zion who are all either really long, strong, and/or solid defensively for their respective positions..
I think they can use their length to help disruptive opposing team’s offenses and make plays in the passing lanes. Then, Zion, Missi, and Theis can all more than handle themselves down on the block if someone is trying to back them down or fight for rebounding positioning.
Ideally, you’d like to see the Pelicans add another 6’10” guy or taller as a presence down in the block, but I think they can work around their overall lack of height schematically using the other attributes and strengths their guys do have.
Agreed playoff time will show its teeth if they don’t make additional moves
Small across the board- frontline, backline, starters and reserves. I think they’ll make sone moves tho before the TD
Someone like a healthy Rob Williams or the likes can prolly be found then
Rob Williams is 6’8 and should not be playing C (out muscled and out played by taller C’s) bro Williams is small too
Guess their offer was quite En-Theis-ing.
Great move for the Pels but you cant win a ring with Theis as your starting C, maybe they are fearing up for 2026
That would be the worst starting C in the league. Who is GS’s C again?