Saddiq Bey quietly delivered a strong performance last season, averaging 17.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, despite limited attention given to Pelicans games late in the year. His achievements were even more notable considering he missed the entire prior season while recovering from a torn ACL.
In recognition of his progress, the New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a three-year, $55.5 million contract extension with Bey, according to his representatives at Excel Sports Management, as reported by Shams Charania of ESPN. This fully guaranteed deal will keep him with the team through the summer of 2030.
This new contract represents a significant pay increase for the 27-year-old, who was set to earn $6.4 million this season under the final year of his previous deal. The extension’s average annual value of $18.5 million slightly exceeds the current mid-level exception but appropriately reflects Bey’s impressive production last season. The salary is also structured in a way that makes the contract relatively trade-friendly, although it does include a trade kicker.
It’s also interesting to note that Pelicans General Manager Troy Weaver initially drafted Bey when Weaver was with the Detroit Pistons.
Before joining the Pelicans in the 2025 offseason, Bey was a reliable role player for the Pistons and Hawks. However, he suffered an ACL tear before playing any games for New Orleans and spent a year rehabilitating. Last season, he returned stronger than ever, recording the best numbers of his career. Starting off the season off the bench, then-coach Willie Green moved him into the starting lineup by the eighth game, allowing Bey to take on a bigger offensive role while maintaining excellent efficiency (shooting 36.7% from three-point range and boasting a .579 true shooting percentage).
If Bey can sustain this level of performance under new coach Jamahl Mosley, this extension stands as a promising arrangement for both player and team.
Fan Take: This extension highlights how perseverance and hard work can lead to rewards in the NBA, especially after a major injury. For basketball fans, Bey’s deal underscores the importance of role players stepping up and how mid-tier contract offers can impact team building and competitiveness across the league.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
