ESPN's Shams Charania reported that free agent guard Bryce McGowens has agreed on a two-way NBA deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 22-year-old was the 40th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets back in 2022, and most recently played for the Portland Trail Blazers.
With this addition, the Pelicans have now used up their third and final two-way contract spot, as McGowens will join Hunter Dickinson and Trey Alexander.
McGowens is a 6'6" guard who can also play some forward. He has good ball skills and a natural scoring ability. He spent most of last season playing for the Trail Blazers' G-League affiliate, the Rip City Remix. In his 16 games for the Remix, he dominated, averaging 29.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting an efficient 48.7% from the field and 33.0% from 3. Unfortunately, his outstanding season was cut short as McGowens sustained a right rib fracture.
Going back to his college days and rookie season in the NBA with the Hornets, I always saw tons of potential in Bryce. He is someone who, despite his size, can put the ball on the floor and create for others in the pick-and-roll.
He is the type of wing player teams look for as a spark off their bench, as he is kind of like a jumbo version of Caris LeVert. Neither he nor LeVert is an elite shooter, but they can get you a bucket if you need one, or create a bucket for someone else. Although he isn't at LeVert's level yet, he's still just 22 and can be a great project piece that the Pelicans can bounce between the G-League and the NBA next season.
Balanced approach
The addition of Bryce McGowens is a good one and shows the balanced approach that Joe Dumars is using with their three two-way contract spots. Dumars understands the Pelicans' need for depth, and he is using these two-way spots to continue to prioritize that. He brought in a guard in Alexander, a wing in McGowens, and a big man in Dickinson.
Although I'm only really a fan of two of three signings, as I'm worried that Dickinson's game can't translate to the pros, I still think the Pelicans front office deserves applause.
They went out and brought in three guys who all play totally different roles and positions, making them perfect call-ups. For example, if a center goes down, they can call up Dickinson, if a wing goes down, they can call up McGowens, and if one of the Pels guards goes down, they can call up Alexander.
This type of balanced approach to two-way contracts only makes the Pelicans deeper and gives them more options as the 2025-26 season progresses.