Veteran center DeAndre Jordan is set to join the New Orleans Pelicans on a one-year, $3.6 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The former All-NBA player and 2023 NBA champion is preparing to enter his 18th season in the NBA.
Jordan spent the last three seasons with the Denver Nuggets, earning $3.3 million last year while averaging 3.7 points and 5.1 rebounds over 56 games (including five starts, 12.3 minutes per game) as the backup to Nikola Jokic.
Over his 17-year career, the 37-year-old has averaged 8.5 points and 9.7 rebounds across 1,111 games (791 starts). He has played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Denver Nuggets. His most productive season came in 2015–16 with the Clippers, posting 12.7 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game over 77 contests.
That standout performance earned him his first and only All-Star selection in 2017 and cemented his reputation as a premier rim protector. The Pelicans had an open spot on their 15-man roster following the release of guard Jaden Springer on Thursday, which Jordan’s signing will now fill.
This move marks the eighth NBA team of Jordan’s lengthy career.
