The NBA offseason is quickly drawing to a close, with training camp set to tip off right around the corner in the beginning of October. While some teams have had their rosters and staffs set for weeks now, others are still busy tinkering in the margins. The New Orleans Pelicans have been firmly in the latter group.
Recently, the Pellies made two additions to their coaching staff, adding NBA veterans Jodie Meeks and Greg Monroe to their bench. New Orleans has also made some on-court moves, as well, having signed three additional players on Tuesday, September 24.
While the official details of these acquisitions have yet to be declared, it's official that Izaiah Brockington, Keion Brooks Jr., and Galen Robinson Jr. were each given deals with the Pelicans ahead of training camp. Considering that New Orleans already has 15 players on the roster, not counting their three two-way contracts, and has already waived Galen Robinson Jr. to make room for newest signee, Jalen Crutcher, these players won't likely make the regular season roster. But, they could have an opportunity to prove themselves in training camp, whether that be for the Pelicans next season, down the line, or even with a different NBA team.
Who is Izaiah Brockington?
Izaiah Brockington was a journeyman in college who used all four years of his eligibility, including taking a redshirt year off during the 2018-19. He started his collegiate career at St. Bonaventure, then took a year off before joining the Penn State Nittany Lions for two seasons, and then played his senior year with the Iowa State Cyclones.
He steadily improved every single year, garnering more responsibility, minutes, and counting stats as he matured his game. In college, he proved to be an elite athlete as a combo guard, with enough size and physicality to play on the wings. He has a solid handle, is a relentless slasher who welcomes contact at the cup, and has a go-to midrange jumper that's almost impossible to guard due to the elevation he gets on his pull-ups.
He'll need to improve his deep shooting consistency as well as his playmaking if he wants to stick in the NBA. Unfortunately, today's league doesn't have much room for guards who can't space the floor or consistently create shots for others, and he's a little undersized to be playing on the flanks full-time in the NBA.
Brockington actually suited up for the Pelicans for one game last season against the Toronto Raptors in early March. He scored four points, grabbed two rebounds, and finished a +3 on the night. Hopefully, that won't be the only NBA game of his career.