New Orleans Pelicans persist with their strategy of maintaining continuity. After a summer with few moves, the Louisiana-based franchise opted to lock in the long-term future of one of its players, Saddiq Bey, who has been extended through 2030. According to Shams Charania, ESPN reporter, the extension, which will take effect in 2027, comes with a salary of $55.5 million, a substantial increase from the $6.6 million he will earn in the 2026-27 season.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey has agreed on a three-year, $55.5 million contract extension with the franchise, plus a trade kicker, agents James Dunleavy and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports Management tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/sJIAVEhu6d
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 17, 2026
This new contract arrives as a reward for Bey’s performance last season, in which he averaged 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds, delivering a high level of play considering he had returned from a year-long layoff due to a torn ACL. However, in a team that again found itself wandering in no-man’s land, with frequent injuries and without a clear plan, the high scoring numbers could be misleading, so the Pelicans did not want to commit too much money and opted for a mid-range contract.
Thus, the deal allows Bey to secure several years of a notable salary, something the player undoubtedly sought since his injury, while New Orleans keeps a player who, if he continues to perform at this level, could be important in the future core. Nevertheless, the problem with the Pelicans is the one many have pointed out in recent years: if it is clear that the roster cannot go any further, what is the point of keeping it intact?
We will see if this year, which seems to arrive without any complications at the start of the season, things begin to look different. And if nothing changes in terms of results, they will have no choice but to start moving things around. And perhaps Bey will become a player that other franchises may take an interest in.
