The New Orleans Pelicans had an interesting deadline, as despite the team's position in the standings, second-worst in the West and 14-40, they decided to make just one move. That one move saw Jose Alvarado be traded to the Knicks in exchange for Dalen Terry and a pair of second-round picks. Since then, Terry was waived, and the Pelicans' next move following that decision is painfully apparent.
By waiving Terry, the Pels opened up one standard roster spot, creating room for the front office to finally convert Bryce McGowens' two-way deal to a standard contract. Players on two-way deals are limited to appearing in 50 NBA regular-season games, and McGowens is already very close to reaching that mark after appearing in his 30th game of the season on Friday.
McGowens has been in and out of the team's rotation all season because the Pelicans only have limited games to work with. But now with an open roster spot available, fans should expect to see him more regularly, as his contract can be converted at any time before the end of the regular season.
Bryce McGowens has outgrown a two-way deal
McGowens has brought value as a floor spacer and is just another player who can straight up create offense this season. The 23-year-old is averaging 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting an impressive 48.4 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from beyond the arc.
Friday night, in the Pels’ 18-point comeback against Minnesota, he made his return to the court after sitting out for the previous seven games and looked really solid. McGowens shot efficiently, going 4 for 6 from the field, hit a pair of threes, and finished with 11 points and 4 assists in his 27 minutes of play.
The key thing I want to point to with this is that McGowens took just six shots in 27 minutes of action. He's not one of those G League players who come up to the NBA and try to take over games. He understands his role as a complementary player and gets his own in the flow of the team's offense.
For a Pelicans team that is among the bottom five in all major team three-point statistics, having McGowens is so valuable. According to Cleaning the Glass, he is in the 95th percentile in overall three-point percentage this season.
This season, McGowens has made the most of the opportunities he's been presented and committed to playing a role as a playmaking-floor-spacer in the Pels rotation. And following the decision to waive Dalen Terry, it's clear the front office is aware of what he's doing and is getting prepared to reward him with a standard deal.