NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

Pelicans Add Rebounding Muscle, Sign Julian Reese to Two-Way Deal

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed former Washington Wizards forward Julian Reese to a two-way contract. Here is what the productive rebounder brings to the organization.

Pelicans Add Rebounding Muscle, Sign Julian Reese to Two-Way Deal

by
The Who Dat Daily Staff
2026-09-24

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans added another young frontcourt piece just before training camp, signing forward Julian Reese to a two-way contract Thursday.

Reese, 23, arrives in New Orleans after an impressive late-season opportunity with the Washington Wizards. The 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward averaged 11.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.9 minutes over 13 games last season. He started 10 of those contests and shot 52.9 percent from the field.

The agreement gives the Pelicans a productive rebounder with NBA experience and fills the team’s third two-way slot. Reese joins forward Malik Dia and guard Jaron Pierre Jr., giving New Orleans three developmental players who can move between the NBA roster and the Laketown Squadron.

For a Pelicans organization looking to improve its toughness, depth and player-development pipeline, Reese is a sensible low-risk addition.

Reese Made the Most of His NBA Opportunity

Reese entered the NBA as an undrafted free agent in 2025. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers for Summer League and later signed with Toronto before beginning the season with Raptors 905 in the NBA G League.

His work in the G League earned him a two-way contract with Washington on February 28. Raptors 905 listed Reese at 7.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game across the Tip-Off Tournament and regular season, with the big man shooting 62.8 percent from the floor.

Once the Wizards gave him extended minutes, Reese demonstrated that his rebounding could translate against NBA competition.

In only his third NBA appearance, Reese produced 18 points and 20 rebounds against the Utah Jazz. Ten of those boards came on the offensive end. Later that month, he posted a career-high 26 points and 17 rebounds on 12-of-16 shooting as Washington defeated Utah 133-110 and ended a 16-game losing streak.

Those performances came during a small sample, but the effort and production were difficult to ignore. Reese finished his rookie season averaging more offensive rebounds per game than assists, steals and blocks combined. His willingness to pursue missed shots should give him a chance to carve out a role at the next level.

A Proven Rebounder at Maryland

Reese’s work on the glass was also his calling card during four seasons at Maryland.

The Baltimore native finished his college career with 1,488 points and 1,015 rebounds. According to Maryland, Reese joined Len Elmore as the only players in program history to record at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

He finished second on Maryland’s career rebounding list, ranked 20th in program history in scoring and recorded 37 double-doubles — the fifth-most by a Terrapin. Reese earned All-Big Ten honorable mention and NABC All-District First Team recognition during his senior season.

That résumé explains the Pelicans’ interest. Reese does not need plays designed for him to influence a game. He creates extra possessions, runs the floor, finishes around the basket and plays with physicality in the paint.

How Reese Fits With the Pelicans

New Orleans already has several frontcourt options on standard contracts, including Zion Williamson, Yves Missi, Derik Queen, Karlo Matković, DeAndre Jordan and Trendon Watford. Reese is not being added to displace one of those players immediately.

The two-way agreement gives the Pelicans time to evaluate and develop him without forcing him into the main rotation. Reese can receive significant minutes with Laketown, work within the organization’s system and remain available when injuries or scheduling create an NBA opportunity.

His most obvious pathway is through rebounding, energy and interior defense.

The Pelicans do not need Reese to become a featured scorer. They need him to screen with force, sprint into early offense, finish second-chance opportunities, defend without fouling and control the defensive glass. Those are skills that can earn minutes even on a crowded roster.

Reese also gives the organization a different developmental profile. Dia is an athletic forward-center with shooting potential, while Reese enters camp with more NBA experience and a more established record as a rebounder. Pierre provides backcourt depth and shot creation. Together, the three two-way players give New Orleans developmental coverage at several positions.

What a Two-Way Contract Means

NBA teams are permitted to carry three two-way players in addition to their standard 15-man roster. Two-way contracts allow players to spend time with both the NBA club and its G League affiliate.

For Reese, the agreement creates a direct opportunity to remain in the league while receiving the consistent playing time needed for his development. For the Pelicans, it provides an inexpensive way to evaluate a 23-year-old who already showed he could rebound and produce when given meaningful NBA minutes.

Reese’s signing appears to complete New Orleans’ two-way group entering training camp. The Pelicans waived former Maryland forward Solomon Washington earlier in the week, clearing the way for another developmental addition.

The Angel Reese Connection

The signing also brings a familiar basketball family back to Louisiana. Julian Reese is the younger brother of former LSU national champion and WNBA standout Angel Reese.

The family connection will generate attention, but Julian has established his own identity as a physical interior player. His production at Maryland, in the G League and during his brief run with Washington gives the Pelicans a basketball reason to believe the signing could pay off.

A Timely Addition Before Camp

The Pelicans are scheduled to hold Media Day on September 28 before training camp opens September 29. Reese will arrive with a straightforward mission: rebound, defend and bring energy every day.

There may not be an immediate opening in the NBA rotation, especially with Missi, Queen, Matković and the veteran Jordan competing for frontcourt minutes. But two-way contracts are investments in development, not promises of instant playing time.

Reese has already shown that he can produce when opportunity arrives. A player who averaged a double-double in his first 13 NBA games is worth a longer look, particularly when the commitment does not require New Orleans to sacrifice a standard roster spot.

The Pelicans entered the week looking for more depth before camp. They found it in a young forward whose best skill — rebounding — tends to travel.

Now Reese must prove that it can earn him a lasting place in New Orleans.