New Orleans

Pelicans

After an impressive showing for the Pelicans during the Summer League in Las Vegas, Bufkin has been rewarded with a one-year contract. The 15th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Bufkin has appeared in just 43 NBA games over three seasons. He appeared in 16 games for the Lakers in 2025-26, averaging 2.9 points and 0.8 rebounds in 7.4 minutes per game. With Jeremiah Fears and Dejounte Murray on the roster, Bufkin is unlikely to offer much fantasy value next season.

Selected by the Pelicans with the 58th overall pick in last month’s draft, Pierre averaged 10.0 points per game in three appearances in Las Vegas. While he didn’t shoot the ball well, making just 27 percent from the field, the rookie wing is coming off a senior season at SMU in which he averaged 17.6 points per game while shooting 46.2 percent from the field. New Orleans now has one available two-way slot, with Hunter Dickinson already under contract.

Bufkins wasn’t as prolific offensively as he was on Thursday, when he put up 30 points in a loss to the Timberwolves. A 1-of-7 day from beyond the arc had a lot to do with that, but Bufkin deserves credit for filling the stat line. Playmaking and defense will need to be his calling cards if he’s to lock down a spot in the NBA, and he was solid in both areas against the Hornets.

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.

The lone pick from the Pelicans 2025 class that suited up for summer league, Peavy was one of the best players on the floor for New Orleans in this game. Peavy was an effective defender as a rookie, so seeing him produce on offense is encouraging, even if he has a long way to go to crack the Pelicans’ rotation this season.

Pierre only played 12 minutes off the bench, and he didn’t produce much. He should see his role increase as summer league continues as the Pelicans look to evaluate the 58th pick from last month.

Bufkin spent his first two seasons with the Hawks but was traded to the Nets ahead of last season. They waived him right before the season began, and he didn’t end up appearing in an NBA game until January, and he ended up signing with the Lakers for the rest of the season. Now, he’s trying to earn a new contract, and this performance should help make his case. He was quite the path to climb to get to the point where he is producing in NBA games, but he should be on pace to at least get a deal before the summer ends.

The first reported connection between Missi and the Knicks occurred around the February trade deadline, but nothing came of it. New York acquired Jose Alvarado in a separate deal, and the backup point guard has since re-signed with the Knicks after helping the team win its first title in 53 years. Thursday’s report regarding the Knicks’ interest in Missi comes one day after the team lost Mitchell Robinson (Boston) and Ariel Hukporti (Philadelphia) in free agency. New York has a serious need for depth behind starter Karl-Anthony Towns, and it does not appear likely that Missi will be the player to address it, as New Orleans considers him a key member of their team moving forward.

Jordan, who turns 38 in July, will return to New Orleans for his 19th NBA season. Contract terms weren’t disclosed initially, but it was later revealed that it is a two-year deal for the veteran’s minimum. Jordan appeared in only 12 games for the Pelicans last season. He offers bench depth and a veteran presence at this point in his career.

Looney’s first season away from Golden State was one of the least productive of his career. The veteran forward appeared in just 21 games, averaging 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 14.6 minutes per game. His on-court impact was minimal for a struggling Pelicans team, and his fantasy basketball impact was even less. He is not expected to have value in fantasy leagues next season.