During the 2024-25 season, the New Orleans Pelicans were plagued by disaster. There were bonehead front office moves like the Brandon Ingram trade, a plethora of injuries, and players having off-court struggles. Last season was one to forget. However, for those real Pelicans fans, the ones who stayed locked in all year, no matter the outcome, won't forget how brilliant Brandon Boston Jr was playing.
The former 4th-best high school recruit was phenomenal, posting season averages of 10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in 42 games, while shooting 35% from beyond the arc. This type of breakout prompted the Pelicans to convert Boston from a two-way to a standard NBA one. After a season like this, many fans expect BJ to be back next season; instead, the Pelicans opted to let him walk.
Mid-afternoon on Sunday, August 3rd, the BASKETNEWS reported that Boston would be leaving the NBA and signing a 1 year contract in the EuroLeague with Fenerbahce. This news was initially shocking to me as I expected BJ to at least be on some team as a two-way player next season. But the more I look at this move, the more I grow to understand it.
As great as Boston is as an indivualed he is really what teams are looking for in the NBA, hense why i think Joe Dumars made the right move by moving on from him. As great of a scorer as he could be outside of that his game is missing some grit, and a better shooting touch.
Going to the EuroLeague is only going to help his career
We've seen players often go overseas and take time to work on parts of their game, while still being around some of the world's best. Think of someone like Dante Exum, a former lottery pick who struggles to find his place in the NBA, decides to go to Europe for 2 years, and comes back to the NBA as a 44-plus % three-point shooter.
I really believe in Brandon Boston and think he has unreal potential to develop into a versatile wing coming off the bench of NBA teams. So I'm happy he decided to leave the NBA and figure out who he is as a player again. I don't think this will be a long break from the NBA, maybe 2 seasons max, but what I do believe is that he may ignite a trend.
You rarely see a former top recruit be humble enough to leave the NBA instead of trying to fight for a roster spot. Yet Boston is that humble he made that decision and it's going to pay off.