Saddiq Bey’s look has changed enough to make people stop and do a double take, but the real story is what comes after the photos. The New Orleans Pelicans forward has gone from his baby-faced rookie image in Detroit to a much bigger, fuller-bearded version of himself, and the comparison between his 2020 and 2026 pictures has sparked plenty of jokes.
The numbers help explain why the visual gap stands out so much. Bey was listed at approximately 215 pounds in his 2020 draft profiles, while his current NBA profile has him at 240 pounds. That’s a 25-pound difference between the two listings, though those figures reflect listed playing weights rather than a verified measurement of muscle gain.
Even in that earlier version of Bey, the tools were obvious. During his 2020-21 rookie season with the Pistons, he put up 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 70 games while shooting 40.4% from the field and 38.0% from three-point range.
His perimeter shot quickly made him a valuable offensive piece, and he earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. The size-and-shooting mix was already pointing toward a wing who could be counted on.
His path since then hasn’t been smooth. Bey missed the entire 2024-25 season while recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in March 2024.
Since then, though, the return has looked strong. Last season, he produced a career-high 17.7 points per game, plus 5.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 72 games for the Pelicans.
He shot 45.1% from the field and 36.7% from three while logging 31.2 minutes per game.
That bounce-back led to a three-year, $55.5 million extension in September. So while the online reaction has focused on how different he looks, the more meaningful headline is the one New Orleans cares about: Bey is back, productive, and paid.
He’s opened this season with 15.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists through three games, along with 0.3 steals and 0.3 blocks per contest. The Pelicans’ 0-3 start has muted some of that production, but Bey has still been a steady scoring presence.
The beard and the added size make for a fun comparison, sure. But they don’t tell you how he’s trained, how he’s conditioned, or what the extra weight means on the floor.
For the Pelicans, the real question is simpler: can Bey keep delivering at last season’s level, or even build on it? Looking stronger gets attention.
Staying healthy, hitting shots, and helping turn losses into wins is what really matters.
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There is also the matter of Denvers new look, because the Nuggets arrive at 1-2 and coming off a loss to Golden State. New Orleans will need to be sharper on the details that mattered most in the first matchup, especially against Trevon Brazile, who was active enough to give the Pelicans trouble inside and on the glass. The first meeting left plenty of room for a reset, but this one will say more about whether the lesson actually stuck. [Read more 🡒]