Scotto: Pelicans waive Hunter Dickinson

Dickinson signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Pelicans earlier this week. If he sticks with the organization’s G league affiliate the Laketown Squadron for 60 days as expected, he’ll receive a bonus. While Dickinson was waived one day after he was signed, not much has materially changed with his outlook for this season.

Dickinson appeared in five games with the Pelicans as a two-way player last year. Terms of his new deal with New Orleans weren’t disclosed. Dickinson averaged 17.6 points, 10.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 30.3 minutes per game in the G league last season. Unless he’s able to carve out a more significant role with the Pelicans this time around, he could spend most of the season in the G league again.

Back with the Pelicans on a two-way contract, Dickinson had a good afternoon offensively on Saturday. He scored on all three levels, shooting 50 percent from beyond the arc and 50 percent from the field overall. Of course, the Pelicans will want to see a bit more from him defensively and on the glass, but Saturday’s offensive effort was a step in the right direction. Given New Orleans’ frontcourt options, cracking the rotation next season will be a challenge for Dickinson.

Signed to a one-year deal Friday afternoon, Jordan will give the Pelicans needed interior depth due to the absences of Kevon Looney (knee), Yves Missi (ankle) and Karlo Matkovic (elbow). However, he is not expected to be available for Friday’s game, meaning rookies Derik Queen and Hunter Dickinson will take on the unenviable task of trying to slow down Victor Wembanyama. The Pelicans may also go small at times, sliding Zion Williamson to the five. Of the two rookies, Queen is the better option to roll the dice on in fantasy leagues.

That seems like good news considering the second-year center sprained his right ankle during he fourth quarter of last night’s loss to the Grizzlies. Missi will be listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game vs San Antonio, but it doesn’t sound like he will be sidelined for too long. Both Derik Queen and Hunter Dickinson could see an uptick in minutes in the short-term.

Missi didn’t have a productive night, and things worsened during the fourth quarter. The second-year center sprained his right ankle on a layup attempt and had to exit. While Hunter Dickinson (two points and one blocked shot) played five minutes during the first half, he did not see any action after halftime. Rookie Derik Queen (wrist) played 15 minutes in his debut, putting up three points, five rebounds and one blocked shot. New Orleans went small for stretches, which they may do more often if Missi has to miss time.

Dickinson spent three years at Michigan before transferring to Kansas for the last two, and he was a strong producer throughout his college career. He’s a big-bodied center with decent touch that can also pass the ball. He’ll get a chance to show that he deserves a spot in the NBA for the Birmingham Squadron, but it’s unlikely he cracks the rotation next season.