The New Orleans Pelicans brought in young guard Jaylen Nowell to bolster their depleted corps. What does his signing mean for the Pelcians going forward, and what does the 24-year-old bring to the Pels?
According to Will Guillory of The Athletic, New Orleans and Nowell agreed to a veteran’s minimum nonguaranteed contract last night.
Can confirm the Pelicans have agreed to a non-guaranteed deal with veteran guard Jaylen Nowell, per source. ESPN was first to report.
What Does Jaylen Nowell Bring To The Pelicans, And What Is Next?
Nowell has been a free agent since being released by the Washington Wizards with a week left in training camp. He appeared in just one preseason game for the Wizards. Last week, he attended the G-League’s Capital City Go-Go training camp.
Nowell has played in 194 NBA games over five seasons. The 25-year-old appeared in 13 games last season between Memphis and Detroit. He has career averages of 8.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, with shooting splits of 44.6/31.7/79.8.
New Orleans has been hit hard by injuries. CJ McCollum and Herb Jones are the latest to miss games, having sat out the last two. Trey Murphy III (hamstring) hasn’t yet played this season, while Dejounte Murray has been out since breaking his hand.
Despite being shorthanded, New Orleans is 3-3 on the season. The Pelicans snapped a three-game losing streak with a 125-118 victory over Indiana as the Pels starters outscored the Pacers first unit 99-70. Zion Williamson produced his second straight double-double with 34 points and 12 boards, marking the second time in the last three contests that he has topped the 30-point mark.
Brandon Ingram added 26 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and two blocks versus Indiana. Jordan Hawkins topped the 20-point mark (23) for the second straight game and third time this season, while Jose Alvardo chipped in with 12 points.
McCollum (right adductor strain) and Jones (right shoulder strain and torn rotator) are out until at least November 16. Murray is out for three to five more weeks. Meanwhile, Murphy is slated to get re-evaluated later this week.
How Does Nowell Fit In?
New Orleans entered the season with 14 players on standard contracts, and the Pelicans were just $4.4 million from being hard capped. The four injuries have left the Pelicans with just 13 healthy bodies, including the three players on two-way deals.
New Orleans has used 16 players this season, with two-way players Brandon Boston Jr. and Jamal Cain seeing action in three games. Trey Jemison, the other player on a two-way deal, has appeared in one game.
Players on two-way deals are allowed to suit up for 50 games per season. Cain and Boston have been active for three games, while Jemison has been active twice.
So, Nowell provides New Orleans with another warm body. More importantly, the athletic and versatile guard gives the Pels depth in the backcourt. Jose Alvardo has played 67 minutes at point guard in the last two games, and Jordan Hawkins has played 79 minutes.
While Nowell is most comfortable at the 2, he can also play point and small forward. He is a good ball-handler and has shown the ability to facilitate an offense, though playmaking is not his strong suit. As a result of not turning the ball over much, he has a solid 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio.
What Nowell does best is put the ball in the hoop. Nowell is a slasher, though he does have an excellent mid-game overall. His range is out to the 3-point line, though he averages one triple a game for his career. He has scored in double figures in 87 of his 197 career appearances, topping the 20-point mark nine times while scoring 30 points once.
Will Newell Remain With Team The Whole Season?
Defense hasn’t been a strength for Nowell. He is undersized against bigger wings who can post him up, and he has been exposed in the low post. He is an average-at-best defender on the perimeter, but he doesn’t force too many turnovers.
Nowell may be immediately thrown into action as New Orleans hosts Atlanta tonight at 7:00 p.m. (ET). Hawkins is questionable for the game because he is dealing with tight lower backness.
If Hawkins cannot go, Javonte Green will likely be Alavarado’s backcourt mate at tipoff time. Green is having a good season off the bench for the Pelicans. But Green averages 26.5 minutes per start in 55 career starts.
Boston would likely be the third guard off the bench with Nowell, who is active for the game and likely to see some time in the backcourt. The Pelicans are deeper up front than in the backcourt.
While Nowell’s salary is unknown, he is likely slated to make a prorated annual salary of $2.3 million. Since his contract nonguaranteed, his time with the Pelicans is likely essentially a “tryout.”
Nowell will likely remain with the team until Murphy and McCollum return. He could remain with the squad longer if he impresses the Pelicans brass. Even if the Pelicans keep him most of the season, they would still have over $2.0 million to spend before hitting the first tax apron where they are hard capped.
