Karlo Matkovic is wasting no time making noise for Croatia in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
The New Orleans Pelicans big man returned to action for his national team on Thursday and put together a sharp showing, scoring 17 points in just under 17 minutes with one assist. He was flawless from the field, hitting all 8 of his shot attempts, including one three-pointer, though he did miss his lone free throw.
That kind of burst is exactly why Matkovic remains such an intriguing piece for New Orleans. He didn’t start, but he showed the same ability to flip a game with energy and production that Pelicans fans have seen in flashes.
Last season, he delivered one of those bench-impact outings against the Charlotte Hornets, finishing with 13 points, six rebounds and a block on 6-of-7 shooting in 15 minutes. New Orleans won that game by four, and he finished at plus-13.
For the Pelicans, Matkovic’s appeal is easy to see. He brings an explosive dunking game, and he’s the only big on the roster who can stretch the floor right now.
That matters, especially at a salary just under $2.3 million. The organization has held onto him despite teams around the league showing interest in trades, and the asking price has reportedly never been enough to justify moving him.
There’s also plenty for the Pelicans to like on the defensive side. Matkovic’s size and athleticism give him real upside, and Jamahl Mosley and his staff will be watching closely to see how much they can pull out of him. Offensively, though, he’s already a weapon.
The setup in this tournament works for everyone involved. Matkovic is lower in New Orleans’ rotation, so any competitive reps are valuable.
With Croatia, he gets more of the offense flowing through him. Early on, that combination is paying off.
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Mathurins Arrival Puts One Pelicans Wing In A Tough Spot
Bennedict Mathurins arrival gives the Pelicans another young wing with real upside, but it also forces a roster conversation that was easy to avoid before the signing. New Orleans did not bring him in on a flier, either, with a two-year, $16 million deal that signals real intention. The challenge now is fitting him into a wing rotation that already has players who need minutes, touches and a clear path.
Saddiq Bey is the name that stands out as the cleanest trade candidate, even after a career year and a team-friendly contract. New Orleans could look elsewhere, from waiving Jordan Poole to exploring a Jordan Hawkins deal, but moving Bey makes the most sense if the goal is both making room for Mathurin and adding draft capital. The question is whether the Pelicans will act on that logic quickly, or let the logjam linger a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Frontcourt Suddenly Carries Real Hope Into A Crucial Season
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The larger picture around New Orleans looks more encouraging, too, with Zion Williamson focused on offseason fitness, Trey Murphy III adding muscle ahead of what he hopes becomes an All-Star season, and Herb Jones back to full health. Under new head coach Jamahl Mosley, the Pelicans can see a frontcourt that is young, deep and potentially better equipped to drive a turnaround, even if the familiar caveat still hangs over everything - health and consistency will decide how real that optimism becomes. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Are Still Betting On One Risky Offseason Strategy
The Pelicans offseason has been more about continuity than overhaul, with the front office keeping most of the roster intact and placing a significant bet on a new coaching staff to unlock better results. There is reason for some optimism in the additions of Bennedict Mathurin and Trendon Watford, both of whom bring offensive potential, but the larger picture still points to a group that looks a lot like last seasons team.
New Orleans still has the same questions hanging over it, especially from beyond the arc, around the rim and in the harder-to-quantify areas of toughness and physicality. For this approach to pay off, the Pelicans will need more than just incremental growth from individual players, because the roster moves on their own do not fully solve the problems that have kept this team from taking the next step. [Read more 🡒]