The New Orleans Pelicans had an interesting deadline, as despite the team’s position in the standings, second-worst in the West and 14-40, they decided to make just one move. That one move saw Jose Alvarado traded to the Knicks in exchange for Dalen Terry and a pair of second-round picks. Since then Terry was lifted, and The Pelicans’ next move after that decision is painfully obvious.
By waiving Terry, the Pels opened up one standard roster spot, creating room for the front office to finally convert Bryce McGowens’ two-way deal into a standard contract. Players on two-way deals are only allowed to appear in 50 regular-season NBA games, and McGowens is already very close to achieving that goal after playing in his 30th game of the season on Friday.
McGowens has been in and out of the team’s rotation all season, as the Pelicans only have so many games to work with. But with an open roster spot available, fans can expect to see him more regularly as his contract can be converted at any time before the end of the regular season.
Bryce McGowens has outgrown a two-way deal
McGowens has brought value as a floor spacer and is simply a player who can outright create offensively this season. The 23-year-old is averaging 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game while shooting an impressive 48.4 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from outside the box.
On Friday night, in the Pels’ 18-point comeback against Minnesota, he returned to the court after sitting out the previous seven games and looked very solid. McGowens shot efficiently, going 4 for 6 from the field, hitting a pair of threes and finishing with 11 points and 4 assists in his 27 minutes of play.
The main thing I want to point out with this is that McGowens only took six shots in 27 minutes of action. He’s not one of those G League players who come to the NBA and try to take over games. He understands his role as a complementary player and gets his own role in the flow of the team’s attack.
For a Pelicans team that ranks in the bottom five in all three-point stats among major teams, having McGowens is so valuable. According to the glass cleaninghe ranks in the 95th percentile in overall three-point percentage this season.
This season, McGowens has made the most of the opportunities presented to him and is committed to playing a role as a playmaker in the Pels rotation. And following the decision to part ways with Dalen Terry, it’s clear the front office is aware of what he’s doing and is preparing to reward him with a standard deal.
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