Pelicans Continue To Add Center Depth, Will It Be Enough?

It was in the 2022 NBA Draft that the New Orleans Pelicans selected center Karlo Matkovic with the 52nd overall pick. Now more than two years later, it looks like the 23-year-old will get the chance to play in the league. Shams Charania of The Athletic has reported that the Pelicans are singing Matkovic to a three-year deal. The deal is worth $4.9 million and will include a team option in the third year.

The New Orleans Pelicans are signing 2022 second-round pick Karlo Matkovic to a three-year, $4.9 million contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The 6-foot-11 center out of Croatia reaches his rookie deal, adding frontcourt depth to Pelicans. pic.twitter.com/D2jj6LntC7

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 14, 2024

Pelicans Continue To Add Center Depth, Will It Be Enough?
Ended Last Season Getting G League Experience

Prior to being selected by the Pelicans in 2022, Matkovic had spent two seasons with Mega Basket in Serbia. He was a teammate there of current Miami Heat player Nikola Jovic. Listed at six-foot-11, Matkovic proved to be a strong rebounder and interior presence on both ends of the court which led to him being drafted.

Rather than join the NBA after being chosen in the draft, Matkovic instead stayed overseas. For the last two seasons, he has played for Cedevita Olimpija in Slovenia. Cedevita Olimpija became Slovenian League champions both years, although Matkovic left them in the middle of the 2023-24 season.

After leaving Cedevita Olimpija, Matkovic played in the G League for the Birmingham Squadron. Playing in 10 regular season games for them, he posted averages of 17.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 31.3 minutes. He shot 62.1% from the field, 33.3%. (7-21) from three-point range, and 75.0% (12-16) from the foul line.

Karlo Matkovic Adds To Pelicans Completely Different Depth Chart At Center

The Pelicans will be entering the 2024-25 season with a completely different center rotation from the previous season. From their 2023-24 team, starting center Jonas Valanciunas signed in free agency with the Washington Wizards. Backup center Larry Nance Jr. was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a deal that brought Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans. Later, third-string center Cody Zeller was announced as being included in that same trade.

It was fairly evident that New Orleans would need to be proactive in adding centers to the team. It started in the 2024 NBA Draft when they took six-foot-11 center Yves Missi with the 21st overall selection. As a freshman at Baylor in 2023-24, Missi averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 22.9 minutes. Just 20 years old, Missi will likely get plenty of opportunity to prove himself in the NBA from the get-go.

About a week ago, the Pelicans agreed to a deal with free agent center Daniel Theis. It is a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum. The 32-year-old Theis played one game for the Indiana Pacers last season before he was released. Theis signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. In 59 games for them, he would average 6.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 17.1 minutes.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl does remain on the roster, but he was rarely used last season. The 23-year-old split his time between manning power forward and center. Listed at six-foot-nine, he played 39 games in 2023-24 at just an average of 8.6 minutes per outing.

It remains to be seen if the Pelicans make any more moves this season to bolster their center depth. If they do not, there may be an opportunity for Matkovic to carve out a role for the team.