by Rell Wright/Pelican Contributor – New Orleans Pelicans News

The New Orleans Pelicans have made several significant roster additions as they gear up for the upcoming NBA season. The Pelicans have been busy, announcing the signings of Malcolm Hill, Tevian Jones, Trey Jemison, and Liam Robbins, in addition to Landers Nolley, while also securing Kaiser Gates on a two-way contract. With these moves, the Pelicans have bolstered their offseason roster, which now boasts a total of 21 players.

The Pelicans’ commitment to strengthening their squad has been evident, as they officially welcomed Malcolm Hill to the team. Hill, a 27-year-old forward, brings with him valuable NBA experience from previous stints with the Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls. Over his 24 NBA games, Hill has averaged 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds. Kaiser Gates, 6-7, 225, appeared in 24 games (13 starts) with the Nets’ G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, in 2022-23, averaging 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 23.4 minutes per contest while shooting .554 from three-point range.

Malcolm Hill, 6-6, 225, has appeared in 24 NBA games in the past two seasons with Atlanta and Chicago, averaging 3.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per contest. Trey Jemison, 7-0, 260, played five collegiate seasons at UAB (2020-23) and Clemson (2018-19) in which he averaged 5.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 152 games.

Tevian Jones, 6-7, 220, appeared in 126 games (87 starts) over five collegiate seasons at Southern Utah (2020-23) and Illinois (2018-20), averaging 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 23.8 minutes per game. Landers Nolley II, 6-7, 220, played in 125 NCAA games (108 starts) across four seasons at Cincinnati (2022-23), Memphis (2020-22), and Virginia Tech (2019-20) in which he averaged 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 29.3 minutes per contest. Liam Robbins, 7-0, 250, appeared in 129 games (84 starts) during his five-year collegiate campaign at Vanderbilt (2021-23), Minnesota (2020-21), and Drake (2018-20), averaging 10.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in 21.0 minutes per contest. 

The Pelicans’ offseason roster now comprises 21 players. Despite their substantial roster, New Orleans finds themselves slightly over the tax threshold on their opening night roster. This strategic decision underlines the team’s commitment to financial responsibility while still fielding a competitive team for the upcoming season.

In another notable move, the Pelicans signed free-agent guard Devin Cannady, only to subsequently waive him. Cannady, a 27-year-old guard, appeared in 13 NBA regular season games as a member of the Orlando Magic during the 2021-22 season.