The New Orleans Pelicans have reached an agreement with forward Jalen McDaniels, according to Shams Charania.
McDaniels, 27, joins the Pelicans after spending time with multiple franchises across his six-year NBA career. He averaged 6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in 252 career appearances.
The 6-foot-9 forward began his career with the Charlotte Hornets, where he showed steady development before a midseason trade in 2023 sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers. That year, he posted his best numbers, averaging 10.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in Charlotte before contributing as a role player in Philadelphia’s playoff run.
McDaniels later signed with the Toronto Raptors, where his production dipped to 3.4 points in 50 games during the 2023–24 season. He also made a brief stop with the Washington Wizards this year on a 10-day contract, appearing in four games.
In between NBA opportunities, McDaniels kept his career alive in the G League. With the Capital City Go-Go in 2024–25, he averaged 13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds across 38 games, showing he could still be an effective contributor.
The Pelicans have dealt with injuries in recent seasons, and McDaniels’ defensive versatility could give head coach Willie Green more options in rotation. His best NBA stretch came when he logged extended minutes, which may put him in position to compete for a larger role if opportunities arise.
McDaniels’ career numbers include shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three.
