Pelicans Sign Forward Jalen McDaniels Following CJ McCollum Trade

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed forward Jalen McDaniels to a contract for the upcoming NBA season, marking a low-risk move with potential upside. McDaniels, entering his seventh season, was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and has since played for the 76ers, Raptors, and Wizards, though his playing time and production have declined in recent years. His best season was in 2022-23 with the Hornets, averaging 10.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.2 steals over 56 games before being traded mid-season. Last season, he played only four games with the Wizards and spent most of his time in the G-League. The Pelicans hope this signing will help McDaniels return to the level of production he showed earlier in his career. This roster move follows other significant changes, including trading CJ McCollum for Jordan Poole, as the Pelicans reshape their team after injuries and trades.