New Orleans Pelicans Reportedly Sign Former 4th-Overall Pick

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the New Orleans Pelicans will sign Cody Zeller, who was the fourth pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Cody Zeller has been a solid role player in the NBA for the previous ten seasons. 

The former Indiana Hoosier was initially the fourth pick in the 2013 NBA Draft and spent this past year playing for the Miami Heat (who made the NBA Finals).

The 30-year-old finished the season with averages of 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 62.7% from the field. 

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Zeller will sign a one-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans for next season. 

Wojnarowski: "Free agent center Cody Zeller has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, his agent Sam Goldfeder of @excelbasketball tells ESPN."

Free agent center Cody Zeller has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, his agent Sam Goldfeder of @excelbasketball tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2023

In addition to the Heat, Zeller has also played for the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers. 

His career averages are 8.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest while shooting 52.2% from the field in 509 regular season games (he has also appeared in 32 NBA Playoff games). 

Last year, the Pelicans were the ninth seed in the Western Conference with a 42-40 record. 

They lost in their first play-in tournament against the Oklahoma City Thunder, so they did not make the 2023 NBA Playoffs (in 2022, they lost in the first round of the Playoffs). 

While the team is exceptionally talented, arguably their best player Zion Williamson has dealt with injuries and only played in 29 games over the previous two seasons. 

If the Pelicans remain healthy, they will be a contender to make the 2024 NBA Playoffs.