Pelicans sign Bey to 3-year, $55.5M extension — SkimNews
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- Saddiq Bey agreed to a three-year, $55.5 million fully guaranteed extension with the New Orleans Pelicans that runs through 2029-30 and includes a trade kicker, per agents James Dunleavy and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports Management
- Bey missed the entire 2024-25 season with a torn ACL while on the Atlanta Hawks, then averaged a career-high 17.7 points across 72 games (64 starts) in his first full season back with New Orleans
- During his bounce-back year, Bey recorded three of his four highest-scoring career games: 42 points vs. Utah on Feb. 26, 36 vs. Memphis on Jan. 23, and 34 vs. Philadelphia on Jan. 31
- After last season's All-Star break, Bey averaged 20 points per game and shot 40% from three-point range while posting career highs in 2-point baskets and free throws attempted and made per game
- Originally drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft, Bey holds career averages of 14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2 assists across 364 games with Detroit, Atlanta and New Orleans
- The Pelicans open preseason against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 6 and host the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 21 to begin the regular season
Why it matters: The Pelicans are betting $55.5 million fully guaranteed that Bey's post-ACL bounce-back — career-high 17.7 PPG and 40% shooting from three after the All-Star break — is his new floor, not a ceiling. For a small forward who just turned 26, a three-year term gives New Orleans cost-controlled production through 2029-30 while the trade kicker keeps Bey's leverage intact if the team pivots.
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