7:27pm: The signing is official, according to a press release from the Pelicans.
7:04pm: The Pelicans are signing 2022 second-round pick Karlo Matkovic to a three-year contract, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. The third year will be a team option, Will Guillory of The Athletic tweets.
While Charania pegs the value of the contract at $4.9MM, a three-year, minimum-salary deal for a rookie would be worth approximately $5.4MM, so it sounds like Matkovic is getting the minimum via the second-round exception.
Matkovic provides depth at center for a team that lost Jonas Valanciunas in free agency. He played 34 games for the Slovenian club Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana last season, then joined the Birmingham Squadron. In 10 games with New Orleans’ G League squad, he averaged 17.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 blocks in 31.3 minutes per contest.
Matkovic was selected 52nd overall in the 2022 NBA draft by the Pelicans and had remained overseas until his G League stint.
Matkovic, 23, had six points and six rebounds in 16 minutes in the Pelicans’ Summer League opener this weekend.
The low-cost signing will aid New Orleans regarding its luxury tax concerns, John Hollinger of The Athletic tweets. Matkovic will have a first-year salary of $1,157,153 in 2024/25.
Man I guess NOP is gonna give Missi rotation minutes this season which isnt that surprising after watching him the other night tbh. Missi is similar to DLively in a lot of ways & could possibly have a similar impact. Much like Dallas w/ Lively the Pels are gonna have to eventually upgrade that 5 spot if they wanna compete for a title. Rob Williams seems like a perfect fit (& BI seems like a perfect fit for Portland) but I can understand if the Pels wanna make sure he’s healthy before they trade for him.
Missi’s game reminds me of a version of Deandre Ayton. It will be interesting to see what the Pelicans get out of Theis, Matkovic, Robinson-Earl, and Missi.
I still think an Ayton or Vucevic trade could happen.
Honestly the best Idea. Trade CJ
Not really a market for him now with 2 years left on his contract. Additionally CJ is your best long range shooter & plays well with Zion. He completely change his game last season until Z got injured. The answer is to get BI off your books to built the frontcourt.
Still thinking the Pelicans have to find a useful starting average center to be competitive. The group they have under contract now would be the lowest ranked in the Association by a large margin both in ability & experience. My thinking is BI signs a short term extension, something like 2 years at $40 mill a year so team trading for him have him for 3 years to prove his worth.
Even Ayton in Portland or Stewart in Detroit would be a bandaid for 1 or 2 seasons starting. Griffin doesn’t have to “win” the BI trade like the Murray trade, just don’t let him walk away like he did with Jonas.