The New Orleans Pelicans haven’t made much noise this offseason. But the one move they did make tells you a lot about what they value inside their own building. Resigning veteran center DeAndre Jordan wasn’t just about adding depth. It was a statement about culture, mentorship, and how a young team wants its bench to look.
Jordan’s new contract is for two years and $7.9 million. NBA insider Jake Fischer reported the full amount is guaranteed for both seasons. That’s the part that jumps out. A 35-year-old big man who only played in 12 games last year — and was often a bench presence more than a rotation player — got every dollar locked in. That’s not nothing.
Why fully guarantee a guy who barely plays?
The Pelicans obviously think Jordan’s value goes way beyond the box score. Last season, his role was basically assistant coach in uniform. He spent games talking to younger guys on the sideline, offering tips during timeouts, and helping rookies and second-year players navigate the NBA grind. One player who credited Jordan heavily was Yves Missi (the article appears to have an error naming the player as “Derik Queen”, likely a mix-up with another prospect; Missi was the Pelicans’ 2024 draft pick who praised Jordan’s mentorship). Missi said Jordan helped him adjust to the league in his first year. Expect that relationship to only get stronger now that Jordan is locked in for two more seasons.
Guaranteeing the whole contract also suggests the coaching staff might plan to use Jordan a bit more on the court. Not every night, probably. But maybe spot minutes against bigger teams or when they need a physical presence to absorb fouls and set hard screens. Either way, the Pelicans are signaling they trust what he brings.
Jamahl Mosley’s role and the bigger picture
Head coach Jamahl Mosley is another reason this deal makes sense. Mosley has a track record of developing young rosters into playoff-level teams. The Pelicans have talent — Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones. But they’ve also been the subject of trade rumors all summer. There was chatter about possibly moving Ingram to reshape the roster. Nothing has happened yet.
If the Pelicans keep this core together, they have the tools to compete. What they’ve lacked is consistent veteran leadership off the floor and a clear identity on it. Jordan helps with the first part. The second part is still up to Mosley and the health of the roster. Either way, the Pelicans made their choice. They want Jordan around. And they put their money where their mouth is.
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