Saddiq Bey Agrees to $55.5M Pelicans Extension
Saddiq Bey Agrees to $55.5M Pelicans Extension
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Key Points
1
Bey’s efficiency was a notable part of his comeback season: he shot 45.1% from the field, 36.7% to 36.9% from three-point range and posted a career-best .579 true-shooting percentage.
2
After starting the season on the bench, Bey entered the starting lineup by his eighth game under then-coach Willie Green and took on a larger offensive role while maintaining his efficiency.
3
The Pelicans acquired Bey in the offseason Jordan Poole trade, adding context to his rapid emergence as a key part of the roster.
4
New Pelicans general manager Troy Weaver previously drafted Bey out of Villanova while working for the Detroit Pistons, creating an existing connection between the executive and player.
5
The extension comes as New Orleans attempts to reverse two consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance, and Bey is expected to remain important even with Bennedict Mathurin joining the frontcourt mix.
Saddiq Bey has agreed to a fully guaranteed three-year, $55.5 million extension with the New Orleans Pelicans, according to WTOP News. The deal keeps the 27-year-old forward under contract through the 2029-30 season and includes a trade kicker. Bey earned the extension after a strong comeback season, averaging 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across 72 games while shooting 37 percent from three-point range.
From Bench to Starter in Eight Games
Bey began the season as a reserve but entered the starting lineup by his eighth game under then-coach Willie Green. Once in the starting five, he took on a larger offensive role while maintaining his shooting efficiency. His rapid emergence made him a key source of scoring, rebounding, and wing depth for New Orleans.
Career-Best Shooting Efficiency Across the Board
Bey's comeback season showed impressive efficiency numbers. He shot 45.1 percent from the field, 36.7 to 36.9 percent from three-point range, and posted a career-best .579 true-shooting percentage, according to Winnipeg Free Press. These numbers highlight his importance to the Pelicans' offensive system and spacing.
GM Troy Weaver's Prior Connection to Bey
New Pelicans general manager Troy Weaver previously drafted Bey out of Villanova while working for the Detroit Pistons. This existing connection between executive and player provided context for his quick integration into New Orleans' roster after the team acquired him in an offseason Jordan Poole trade.
A Boost to New Orleans' Playoff Push
The extension comes as New Orleans attempts to reverse two consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance. Bey is expected to remain a key part of the rotation even with the addition of Bennedict Mathurin to the frontcourt mix. The deal represents a substantial raise from the $6.4 million he was scheduled to earn this season.
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