Pelicans Slammed for ‘Unforced Error’ in DeAndre Jordan Re-Signing, Costing Franchise $3 Million More
The New Orleans Pelicans’ re-signing of veteran center DeAndre Jordan to a two-year, $7.9 million guaranteed deal has ignited controversy. NBA analyst Austin Robert claims the Pelicans made an “unforced error” by not structuring the contract as two separate one-year deals, which would have allowed the NBA to subsidize a portion of his salary, saving the team an estimated $3 million.
The criticism points to an alleged misunderstanding of CBA rules by Pelicans executive Joe Dumars, leading to an unnecessary financial hit for the franchise. Despite Jordan’s limited on-court production last season, his leadership, mentorship of young players like Derik Queen, and championship experience were cited as key reasons for his retention, particularly after declining Kevon Looney’s option and needing frontcourt depth.