The NBA free agency carousel came hard and fast this week, but the New Orleans Pelicans waited their turn for an understated move.
New Orleans has agreed to a 1-year, $3.1 million deal with veteran center Cody Zeller, according to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The moves comes after the departures of WIlly Hernangomez (still unsigned) and Jaxson Hayes (Lakers) in free agency.
Zeller appeared in 15 regular season games for the Heat last season, averaging 14.5 minutes with an efficient 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds. Zeller also appeared in 21 playoff games as the Heat marched to the NBA Finals as the No. 8 seed before losing in five games to the Denver Nuggets.
The 30-year-old Zeller starred at Indiana before being drafted No. 4 overall in 2013 by the then-Charlotte Bobcats. The team became the Hornets the following season, and Zeller played there for 8 seasons before departing for Portland, then Miami.
The signing shores up a position that still seems in need of depth behind veteran Jonas Valanciunas. The only other notable move thus far has been a 4-year extension for defensive star Herb Jones, signaling that that the Pelicans appear to be content to run things back with the duo of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, hoping that health will be on their side more often than it was during an up and down 2022-'23 campaign. The Pelicans also added UConn sharpshooter Jordan Hawkins with the No. 14 overall pick.
Related
