The New Orleans Pelicans still have one big offseason task in front of them, and it involves moving on from Jordan Poole. After acquiring him in a move that never really clicked, New Orleans now has to find a team willing to take on his $34 million salary for next season.
That won’t be easy. Poole’s market figures to be limited, and the teams most likely to show interest are the ones looking to clear money rather than add a difference-maker.
He was out of the Pelicans’ rotation before the season ended, and even with a coaching change in place, the fit remains awkward. Jamahl Mosley is trying to build an identity that doesn’t line up with what Poole does best.
Poole’s production has also been all over the place. Back in 2025, he was scoring 20.5 points per game, though that came on a team with no real interest in winning.
Last season, he averaged 13.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 37.2/33.3/86.0. New Orleans needed more from him on the perimeter, but the three-point shooting never became steady enough to trust.
That’s why Milwaukee stands out as a possible trade partner. The Bucks are described as a rebuilding team after trading away Giannis Antetokounmpo, which means every player on the roster should be in play. For the Pelicans, that opens the door to a cleaner basketball fit.
The name that makes the most sense is Myles Turner. New Orleans could use a more dependable frontcourt piece before next season, and Turner checks a couple of important boxes: he can stretch the floor and protect the rim. His numbers dipped with the Bucks, but the source material points to the environment as part of the problem.
There are drawbacks, of course. Turner has never been known as a strong defensive rebounder, which is already an issue for New Orleans. Even so, he was better than Missi last year, and he would give the Pelicans a more stable option up front.
A straight swap could work for Milwaukee, too. Turner would be a better use of the money and roster spot than Poole, even though he’s set to make less next season. He also comes with two additional seasons on his deal, including a $29 million player option, and the Bucks would likely want that money off the books as quickly as possible while they rebuild.
There’s also a personal angle here. A deal would send Poole back home, at least for now.
He was born in Milwaukee, went to high school there, and later finished in Indiana. If he’s going to spend a season on a non-contender, returning to the city where he grew up would make sense.
In Other News...
Former Pelicans Forward Josh Oduro Just Closed The Door On One Path
Josh Oduros next stop takes him well beyond the Pelicans orbit, with the former New Orleans forward continuing his pro career overseas after spending time with the Birmingham Squadron in the G League. It is another reminder of how quickly the back end of an NBA pipeline can shift, especially for players trying to turn a strong developmental stretch into a longer runway.
Oduros season in Birmingham gave him a chance to show he could handle a real role and keep building as a frontcourt piece, but the path from there has now moved in a different direction. For New Orleans, it closes off one possible internal option and leaves Oduro to chase his next opportunity in a new league, on a new stage, and with a fresh set of expectations. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Fans Have A New Karlo Matkovic Trade Rumor To Worry About
Karlo Matkovic has quietly become one of the more interesting names in the Pelicans offseason picture, and not just because of what he did in limited minutes. The young center showed enough skill to get noticed around the league, with his ability to stretch the floor standing out as a rare trait on a roster that could use more of it. For New Orleans, that makes him a useful developmental piece and a player worth keeping close as the front office weighs how to shape the frontcourt.
Still, the attention is starting to spill beyond the Pelicans own plans. Los Angeles has been connected to Matkovic as it looks for help at center, and the interest is not coming out of nowhere, given the presence of a former New Orleans executive in the Lakers front office who knows exactly what kind of value Matkovic can bring. The Pelicans have been reluctant to move him, but as with so many offseason discussions, being reluctant is not the same as being off-limits. [Read more 🡒]