Josh Oduro may be the forgotten name from the New Orleans Pelicans’ summer league group, but he’s the one who makes the most sense for a two-way spot.
The 25-year-old forward wasn’t on the Pelicans’ summer league roster in Las Vegas, even though he’s been around the organization for a while. He has spent time with New Orleans’ G League team, was on a two-way deal last season, and appeared in three regular-season games at the end of the year. Whatever kept him out of summer league action, it shouldn’t keep him from getting another look.
New Orleans has other two-way possibilities in the mix, but they come with obvious questions. Melvin Council Jr. is one name that has been floated, though his numbers don’t jump off the page and he doesn’t fill a position of need.
Kobe Bufkin is another player to watch, but he may end up squeezed because he’s a guard. Oduro stands apart because he brings size, physicality, and a frontcourt presence the Pelicans can actually use.
That’s the appeal here: he’s not flashy, but he’s useful. He can bang inside, help on the glass, and give New Orleans some pop around the rim. For Joe Dumars, he looks like the strongest two-way candidate from the summer league roster because he already knows the organization and looks ready to contribute.
The numbers from last season back that up. In his three games with the Pelicans, Oduro averaged 8.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 64.7 percent from the field.
His best outing came against the Boston Celtics, when he finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and a team-best plus-six. Six of those rebounds came on the offensive end, and he spent the night throwing his body around, crashing the glass, and attacking the rim with purpose.
That kind of effort has been part of his game for a long time. At George Mason and during his lone season at Providence, he had to play with that same edge because he was an undersized 6-foot-9 center. The motor has always been there, and so has the chip on his shoulder.
Still, Oduro is more than just hustle. He can put the ball on the floor and drive.
His post game is built on sharp footwork and good awareness, with drop steps and spins that help him carve out clean looks at the rim. On defense, he’s a strong weakside help presence who can organize things, communicate, and hold up on the perimeter.
The Pelicans may not seem like a team in need of another undersized back-to-the-basket big. But Oduro brings something they don’t have much of beyond Yves Missi: elite rebounding and relentless energy. That alone makes him worth the two-way conversation.
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