The New Orleans Pelicans exercised the team option on forward Karlo Matkovic, guaranteeing him a $2.3 million salary for the upcoming season. At the same time, the club declined veteran center Kevon Looney’s $8 million option, freeing up cap space, and re-signed 37-year-old DeAndre Jordan to a one-year deal. Those moves left the Pelicans largely quiet in the market, preserving a roster that is thin in the frontcourt.
Matkovic’s numbers from last season provide a clear rationale for the decision. He posted career highs in field-goal percentage (60.4 %) and three-point shooting (42.2 %). The 6-foot-10 forward ranked 16th in the NBA in three-point percentage among players with at least 90 attempts, and he was fourth among second-year players in blocks per 36 minutes, having appeared in 62 games. The jump from a 31 % three-point rate the year before to 42 % this season marks a significant upgrade in a skill set the Pelicans have long sought.
New Orleans has been hunting a stretch big to complement Zion Williamson, and the data backs Matkovic’s fit. When Matkovic and Williamson shared the floor for more than 50 minutes last season, the pairing produced a +3.1 net rating , the best mark among all of Zion’s big-man combinations. His ability to pull opposing big men away from the paint creates driving lanes for Williamson’s slashing game.
The current frontcourt lineup consists of Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, Yves Missi and Matkovic. With Looney’s option declined and Jordan’s role diminishing, the rotation is poised to rely heavily on this young core. Matkovic’s improved shooting offers the Pelicans a legitimate spacing weapon, something that neither Queen nor Missi consistently provides from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, the exercised option guarantees Matkovic a spot on a roster that lacks depth at the power forward and center positions. If he can translate his spot-up efficiency into more varied offensive contributions and maintain his defensive activity, he could solidify a long-term role in New Orleans’ frontcourt. The Pelicans’ cautious offseason strategy, while disappointing to fans hoping for blockbuster moves, has cleared a runway for Matkovic to demonstrate his value.
