Melvin Council inked an Exhibit 10 contract with the New Orleans Pelicans on June 25. The former Kansas guard will report to training camp with a chance to earn a regular-season roster spot. In the 2025-26 season he averaged 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.1 made three-pointers per game.

An Exhibit 10 deal is a one-year, non-guaranteed contract that gives a team flexibility to retain a player in its G League affiliate if he is waived before the season starts. The arrangement lets the organization evaluate a prospect in camp while preserving a development path that does not impact the salary cap.

Council’s production at Kansas came in a high-tempo system that emphasized transition offense and ball movement. His ability to score in spurts, coupled with a solid assist total, suggests he can operate as a secondary play-maker in New Orleans’ up-tempo scheme. Though his three-point output was modest, his overall offensive skill set aligns with a team that looks to push the floor for Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.

The Pelicans enter camp with a crowded backcourt that includes a veteran point guard, a rising sophomore, and several wing players who can handle the ball. Council’s experience as a floor general provides depth and a defensive upside that could earn him minutes in spot-up or perimeter assignments. His willingness to compete for a roster spot adds a competitive element to a training camp already filled with veteran signings and rookie prospects.

If Council impresses during preseason scrimmages, the Pelicans could convert his Exhibit 10 into a two-way contract, allowing him to split time between the NBA squad and the G League. Should he be waived, the deal’s structure ensures he can continue his development with the Baton Rouge affiliate. The next few weeks will determine whether he becomes a depth guard, a two-way player, or a G League regular, keeping New Orleans’ options open as they shape a roster built around a championship window anchored by Zion Williamson.