6:40 pm: The Pelicans are using their open two-way slot to sign Keion Brooks Jr., the team announced, per The Athletic’s William Guillory (Twitter link). Brooks, who went undrafted in 2024 out of Washington, is averaging 17.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.4 blocks in 20 games with New Orleans’ G League affiliate in Birmingham. After signing the 6’7″ forward, the Pelicans will have all three two-way slots filled with 14 players on standard contracts.
5:01 pm: The Pelicans are waiving two-way center Trey Jemison, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto (Twitter link). The Pelicans originally claimed Jemison on waivers from the Grizzlies last July.
Jemison, 25, has experience with the Wizards, Grizzlies and Pels. He made 16 appearances with New Orleans this season, averaging 2.4 points and 2.8 rebounds. He didn’t play much with the Pelicans’ G League affiliate this season, but did average 10.9 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks with them last season.
The 6’11” center originally went undrafted in 2023 after playing collegiately with Clemson and then UAB. The Pelicans signed him to an Exhibit 10 deal last September, but he was cut and played with Birmingham in the G League as an affiliate player. The Wizards signed him to a 10-day deal last January, before he caught on with the Grizzlies on the same deal after his Washington contract expired. Jemison impressed for a Grizzlies team needing bodies last year, earning a two-year, two-way deal and averaging 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 23 games (14 starts).
By waiving Jemison, the Pelicans will open up a two-way roster spot, with Brandon Boston Jr. and Jamal Cain occupying the two others. New Orleans also has an open standard roster slot. Boston is likely to earn a promotion to a standard deal at some point this year after becoming a rotation mainstay.
Why didnt they do it before the salary guarantee date??
Maybe as a prize to the guy. I think they keep him in their g league team, Birmingham Squadron.
A team needing a traditional center can sign him. But, if not, he might continue in the Pelicans’ system, the Squadron and the Pelicans