DeAndre Jordan Bolsters Pelicans with One-Year Contract
Free agent center DeAndre Jordan is joining the New Orleans Pelicans on a one-year, $3.6 million contract, according to sources close to the negotiation.
The Pelicans announced Jordan’s addition on Friday, without revealing the terms of the agreement.
In New Orleans, Jordan will seek minutes in a frontcourt led by star Zion Williamson, who has been absent for at least 12 games in each season of his NBA career. The Pelicans are also without center Kevon Looney, who will miss the start of the season due to a left knee injury.
In the season opener against the Memphis Grizzlies, the team used Yves Missi and rookies Derik Queen and Hunter Dickinson at the center position.
Missi, who started in Wednesday’s game, is doubtful for Friday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs after twisting his right ankle against the Grizzlies. His status is day-to-day.
Jordan was with the Pelicans on Friday morning and was expected to be available to play against the Spurs.
The player, a three-time All-NBA and champion in 2023 with the Denver Nuggets, is entering his eighteenth season in the league. Jordan, 37, spent the last three seasons with the Nuggets.
Considered a veteran leader in the Denver locker room, Jordan often proved to be the Nuggets’ most reliable option at the backup center position, and participated in 56 games last season, his most since 2020-21, averaging 3.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game.
Jordan has played in 1,111 career games, with 791 starts. The Pelicans are his eighth team in the NBA.
