By Rell Wright Pelican Contributor 

The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly interested in signing veteran guard Malik Beasley, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. Beasley, who just completed his eighth season in the NBA, averaged 11.3 points per game last season while shooting an impressive 41.3 percent from beyond the arc.

The Pelicans aim to stretch the floor around Zion Williamson, and Beasley’s shooting ability could be a key addition to their offensive strategy. League sources have indicated that the team is also exploring a trade for a center, with the intention of clearing some salary off their books to facilitate these moves.

Beasley, who played last season on a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, would join a backcourt already featuring Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Jordan Hawkins, Jose Alvarado, and rookie Antonio Reeves. His experience and shooting prowess would provide valuable depth and spacing for the Pelicans’ offense.

Pelicans Current Backcourt Depth Chart:

While the Pelicans continue to peruse the trade market for centers – with Wendell Carter Jr. of the Magic among the targets on their radar – veteran big man Daniel Theis has been linked to New Orleans as a possible cheaper option in free agency, Scotto writes. Carter Jr. averaged 11 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 55 games in 2023-24.

He has two years remaining on his contract and has an $11.9 million cap hit for 2024-25. Theis averaged 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game last season in just over 17 minutes per game for the Clippers. As the team looks to build a roster capable of competing in the playoffs, the potential addition of Beasley and a trade for a center could be pivotal moves in strengthening their lineup for the upcoming season.

Potential Additions: