The New Orleans Pelicans have exercised ahead Karlo Matkovic’s $2.30 million group possibility for the 2026-27 season, maintaining the 25-year-old below contract for a 3rd NBA marketing campaign. NBA insider Michael Scotto first reported the transfer on Thursday, someday after the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Draft.
The choice follows an encouraging sophomore season during which Matkovic established himself as a productive frontcourt reserve regardless of restricted minutes. He appeared in 62 video games, making two begins, and averaged 5.7 factors and three.7 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per contest whereas capturing 60.4% from the sector and a powerful 42.2% from three-point vary.
These effectivity numbers stood out amongst New Orleans’ rotation gamers. Matkovic posted a 68.5% efficient discipline aim proportion, fueled by correct ending contained in the arc, the place he transformed 71.7% of his two-point makes an attempt, whereas additionally pulling down 0.6 three-pointers per recreation. His potential to stretch the ground gave the Pelicans one other spacing possibility off the bench with out sacrificing measurement.
The Croatian ahead additionally contributed defensively, averaging 0.9 blocks and 0.4 steals whereas committing simply 0.5 turnovers per recreation. Though his function remained restricted behind New Orleans’ established frontcourt, his manufacturing recommended he may deal with a bigger workload if wanted.
The Pelicans enter the offseason trying to rebound after a disappointing 26-56 marketing campaign that left them tied for the Western Convention’s second-worst document. Accidents and roster inconsistency prevented New Orleans from constructing momentum regardless of receiving robust offensive manufacturing from Trey Murphy III, who averaged a team-high 21.5 factors per recreation, and Zion Williamson, who added 21.0 factors whereas capturing 60.0% from the sector.
The frontcourt stays one of many group’s deepest place teams. Rookie middle Derik Queen averaged 11.7 factors and seven.1 rebounds throughout 81 video games final season, whereas Yves Missi contributed 5.7 factors, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 66 appearances. Retaining Matkovic offers New Orleans one other cost-controlled massive able to enjoying both energy ahead or middle.
The franchise additionally continued reshaping its roster throughout this week’s draft. After sending its first-round choice to the Atlanta Hawks as a part of a earlier commerce, New Orleans used the No. 58 total choose to pick out SMU guard Jaron Pierre Jr., including backcourt depth to a roster that already options Jeremiah Fears, Dejounte Murray and Jordan Poole.
