The Pelicans are set to open summer league play Thursday afternoon against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and fans finally have clarity on who will be lacing up for New Orleans in Las Vegas. A bit of a surprise comes with this 16-man roster as both Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears won’t be making the trip to Vegas, as they prioritize improving their games back in New Orleans. I’m not sure that’s the right call, as the best thing for development is often more in-game reps, but after both players earned All-Rookie selections, it appears the front office doesn’t see value in sending them.
Pelicans assistant God Shammgod will coach this year's summer league team, and the roster he has to work with is broken down into different groupings below.
Players under contract
As for players who are under contract for next season with the Pelicans, 2025 second-round pick Micah Peavy, Hunter Dickinson, who is once again on a two-way deal, and 2026 second-round pick Jaron Pierre Jr. are also slated to play. Of these three, Peavy is the player fans should keep the closest eye on, as he has the best chance on this roster to become an everyday player for the Pelicans in 2026-27.
In his rookie season, Peavy appeared in 61 games and was a gritty disruptor on the defensive end. Key developments for him during the team's time in Vegas come on the offensive end, as an improved outside shot could make him a perfect three-and-d wing for the regular Pelicans. I expect him to be a real leader for this year's group.
As far as Pierre Jr. goes, he’s a crafty scorer with a strong outside shot and jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism, so watch out for some big-time highlights. Dickinson, on the other hand, I got nothing for you—he’s super one-dimensional, and I still question why Joe Dumars insists on using a two-way spot on him.
High-upside players
Starting off this category with Kobe Bufkin, who was taken 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2023, and with him logging just 43 total games in three years, it tells you how his NBA career has fared to this point. Bufkin was a highly touted prospect coming out of Michigan as a freshman guard. He was a high-level shot creator and had solid positional size at 6-foot-4, but his lack of an outside shot has limited his ceiling at the pro level.
So in the summer league, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on how he shoots from beyond the arc, and if he’s having a positive impact from there, he could be a great two-way candidate.
Christian Shumate is another name fans should know, as he spent last summer league with the Pelicans, last regular season with the team's G League affiliate, and played at McNeese.
Shumate is an undersized forward who plays with a high motor, is a strong rebounder and all-around defender, and an absolute demon in the open floor. Expect some highlight dunks or chase-down blocks from him in Vegas. Like most players on the Pelicans, he isn’t a threat from the perimeter, but his hustle and heart alone could earn him a two-way spot.
Maybe the highest-upside player on this roster is East Carolina guard Jordan Riley, who was second in all of college basketball in points per game, averaging 23.6 last season. He’s a freakish athlete with great downhill scoring, hunts high percentage shots, doesn’t turn it over, and is a versatile defender. He’s struggled to find consistency shooting the three-ball and doesn’t take an overwhelming amount of shots from the perimeter, so that’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
Another upside guy is Melvin Council Jr. out of Kansas. The 24-year-old guard is a strong shot creator and natural guard with a great feel for the game. At times, he struggles with efficiency and core consistency, but the skills are very much there. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him turn up and earn a roster spot.
One last guy I wouldn’t classify as “high-upside,” but who has a great chance to secure a two-way spot, is Josh Oduru, who ended last season on a two-way deal with New Orleans. He’s a strong forward with great instincts and could develop into a real rotational piece.
G League guys
Chris Bell is a wing who is a strong three-point shooter, connecting on 40 percent of his threes during his senior year at California. He spent three seasons at Syracuse before transferring to Cal. Not a very versatile player, but someone whose floor spacing ability could be worth the investment for the Pelicans from the front office.
Solomon Washington is another guy expected to see back with the Pelicans in the G League next season, whether or not summer league goes well. He has a DMV connection to Troy Weaver, as he attended Maryland, and is originally from New Orleans. The Pelicans also brought Washington in for a pre-draft workout early in the draft process.
Johnny O’Neil spent last season with the Squadron, and barring a big-time showing in Vegas, I expect him to spend next regular season running it back with New Orleans G League affiliate.
Jalon Moore also spent last season with the Squadron recovering from an Achilles injury. He’s a long forward with a solid outside shot that could turn heads in Vegas. He’s also a college teammate of Jeremiah Fears.
Other names
Markquis Nowell is a name many fans will recognize from his days at Kansas State, where he was the crafty playmaking maestro at point guard. His NBA journey hasn’t been successful, as his 5-foot-7, 160-pound frame has held him back.
Nate Mensah is a giant with a 7-foot-5 wingspan, but his NBA clock is ticking at 28 years old.
Malik Dia is a former Ole Miss Rebel who plays like a bulldozer in sneakers who could find a place in the NBA because of his strength and rebounding alone.
Dominique Daniels Jr. is an undersized scoring guard from Cal Baptist who has a ton of skill, but his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame may keep him from ever being a real NBA player.
The Pelicans will tip off summer league play Thursday, July 9, at 2:30 p.m. (CST).
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