Full Breakdown
Saddiq Bey Signs Three-Year, $55.5 Million Extension with New Orleans Pelicans
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Extension Details
On September 17, 2026, reports confirmed that the New Orleans Pelicans and forward Saddiq Bey agreed to a fully guaranteed three-year contract extension worth $55.5 million. The deal runs through the 2029-30 season and includes a trade kicker that could affect future transactions.
Background & Context
- Draft and early career – Bey was selected 19th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2020 NBA Draft, then traded to the Detroit Pistons on draft night. He later joined the Atlanta Hawks (2022-23) before arriving in New Orleans via a three-team trade that also moved Jordan Poole and the draft rights to Micah Peavy in exchange for CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, and a future second-round pick.
- Injury setback – Bey missed the entire 2024-25 season after tearing his ACL while with Atlanta.
- Breakout season – In his first full year with the Pelicans (2025-26), he posted career-best production, prompting the franchise to secure his services long-term.
Data & Statistics
- 2025-26 averages: 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game; 45.1 % field-goal, 36.7 % three-point, 84.1 % free-throw shooting; 31.1 minutes per game across 72 games (64 starts).
- Career totals (364 games): 14.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists per game; 35.5 % career three-point percentage.
- Contract economics: Average annual value (AAV) of $18.5 million; Spotrac reports the Pelicans’ 2026-27 salary-cap allocation at $217.1 million.
Official Statements & Responses
- Agents James Dunleavy and Jordan Gertler of Excel Sports Management confirmed the extension and the inclusion of a trade kicker.
- Shams Charania reported the terms, emphasizing the fully guaranteed nature of the deal.
Why It Matters / Impact
- Bey’s scoring surge placed him third on the Pelicans behind Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III, addressing depth concerns after two consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance.
- The contract aligns with market rates for a versatile wing of his age and production level, while the trade kicker introduces a modest hurdle for any future trade scenario.
- Securing Bey removes contract-year uncertainty, allowing him to focus on his role—whether as a starter or a high-impact sixth man—under head coach Jamahl Mosley.
- Financially, the AAV of $18.5 million fits within the team’s broader cap strategy, giving New Orleans flexibility to build around its young core.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Three-point shooting: ESPN Research noted a 40 % three-point rate after the All-Star break, whereas season-average three-point shooting is reported as 36.7 % by multiple outlets. The discrepancy reflects a post-break improvement not captured in overall averages.
- The Pelicans have not publicly detailed Bey’s projected role (starter vs. bench) or how the trade kicker will influence future roster moves, leaving strategic intent partially unclear.
What’s Next
The Pelicans begin their 2026-27 preseason in early October, with games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, providing early opportunities to evaluate Bey’s integration under the new contract.
