Antonio

Reeves

Reeves was waived by the Pelicans on July 3 but still suited up for them during summer league. New Orleans drafted him in the second round in 2024, and now he’ll get a fresh start with the Hornets. Reeves will provide some shooting off the bench in Charlotte.

Waived by the Pelicans on July 3, Reeves averaged 13.5 points per game in New Orleans’ first four summer league outings. He finished his time in Las Vegas with a solid performance against the Pacers, which may keep him in the conversation for a two-way contract or an invitation to training camp. Regarding a two-way deal, New Orleans has already filled all three of its available slots. As a result, Reeves may have to look elsewhere for that kind of contract, unless the Pelicans were to waive someone.

Reeves, the 47th overall pick in the 2024 draft, appeared in 44 games for the Pelicans. He was most productive when New Orleans was down multiple rotation players due to injury. Over the team’s final 12 games, Reeves averaged 14.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.3 three-pointers in 26.6 minutes, shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 77.3 percent from the foul line. Reeves’ exit from New Orleans will not impact fantasy basketball, but his finish to the 2024-25 season should get him a look in summer league from another team.

Reeves finished his rookie season with an eighth consecutive game in double figures, tallying 20 points or more twice. He’s one of the young Pelicans whose playing time increased once more established players were sidelined by injuries, which should temper the fantasy expectations for Reeves in 2025-26.

Reeves will replace Kylor Kelley in the starting unit as the lone change to the Pelicans’ opening lineup in Game 82. Reeves had 19 points off the bench on Friday and will look to have another strong scoring night in the final game of his rookie season.

With the Pelicans rotation running thin and the team losing big to the Heat Friday, Reeves managed to play 34 minutes off the bench. The 24-year-old shooting guard has now played at least 30 minutes in five of his last six games, though he’s reached 20 points in only one of those games. With Reeves seeing starter-level minutes, he made for an ideal pickup for fantasy managers in active leagues in the last week of the regular season.

New Orleans has had to use quite a few backups as of late. Antonio Reeves and Keion Brooks are likely in for spot starts against Miami.

The Pelicans are down multiple starters as they close out the season. Payton offers value for fantasy managers needing assists, while Reeves can be helpful as a three-point option. All five players are worth streaming in active leagues, with Payton, Reeves and Matkovic being the priorities.

Hawkins will extend his missed game streak to six while Olynyk has been ruled out for the second time in three contests. Antonio Reeves and Keion Brooks Jr. started in New Orleans’ last game against Milwaukee when Hawkins and Olynyk were ruled out. Both could get spot starts again.

Reeves started again Tuesday despite Kelly Olynyk and Jose Alvarado returning from injury. The 24-year-old shooting guard led the Pelicans in points with 17 as they lost to the Nets by five. Reeves has made at least four three-pointers in back-to-back games. He’s played at least 30 minutes in three of the last four games, though he’s reached 20 points only once in that span.