Jordan's Leadership Secured
New Orleans Pelicans Re-Sign DeAndre Jordan for Guaranteed 19th NBA Season
Key Points
The one-year deal for DeAndre Jordan is guaranteed, not merely contingent on a non-guaranteed minimum, per reports.
Jordan has been described as transformational for rookie Derik Queen and a leading locker-room voice, mentoring young bigs such as Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic and shaping the team's culture.
Specific on-court impact last season included a 12-game stint with averages of 4.4 points, 6.3 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game, while shooting 65.6% FG and 64.7% FT, with 0.9 assists; he started 7 of those 12 games.
Jordan stayed in peak condition and was ready to contribute immediately, even suiting up for games days after being signed.
DeAndre Jordan is coming back to New Orleans. The 37-year-old center agreed to a one-year, fully guaranteed veteran minimum deal with the Pelicans, worth approximately $3.9 million, according to ESPN. It will be his 19th NBA season — a milestone that puts him in rare company alongside legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Tim Duncan.
Jordan appeared in just 12 games last season, averaging 4.4 points and 6.3 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game. He started 7 of those games and shot 65.6% from the field. His value, though, goes far beyond those numbers. The Pelicans are bringing him back to help shape the next generation of their frontcourt.
Jordan Won the League's Top Teammate Award in March
Jordan's return isn't just about what he does on the court. In March 2026, he won the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, the NBA's highest honor for locker-room leadership, according to RealGM. That award made his re-signing a near-certainty for a Pelicans team built around young, inexperienced big men.
Head coach Willie Green made clear why Jordan matters. "His mentality to be available every game — he plays through bumps and bruises — is one of the things we love," Green said, per Pelicans.com. "He makes everyone around him better just by being in the building." That kind of presence is hard to put a price on.
Jordan Is 'Transformational' for Rookies Queen and Missi
The Pelicans have one of the youngest frontcourts in the NBA. Derik Queen, 21, and Yves Missi, 22, have enormous potential but limited experience. Jordan's job is to close that gap. Reports describe his influence on Queen as "transformational," helping the rookie build professional habits around diet, travel, and preparation, according to Chris Haynes.
Missi already benefited from Jordan's guidance last season. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in May 2025, a run that Jordan helped fuel by coaching him on rim protection and defensive positioning, per Pelicans.com. With Karlo Matković also secured for next season at $2.23 million, New Orleans now has a clear four-man center rotation: Missi, Queen, Matković, and Jordan.
A Guaranteed Deal Gives Pelicans Crucial Cap Flexibility
Unlike most end-of-bench veterans, Jordan gets a fully guaranteed contract. His cap hit counts as approximately $2.45 million for luxury tax purposes, a subsidized rate for players with 10-plus years of service. That keeps New Orleans roughly $12 million below the First Apron threshold of $209 million, according to Hoops Rumors. That gap matters — it lets the team stay active in mid-season trades.
The NBA's new Second Apron rules punish teams that overspend. By locking in Jordan at the veteran minimum instead of chasing a more expensive backup center, the Pelicans protect their flexibility. Hoops Rumors notes the 2026-27 salary cap is set at $164.96 million. New Orleans is managing its books carefully as it builds toward a deeper playoff run.
Some Analysts Question Using a Guaranteed Spot on Jordan
Not everyone is sold on the move. Some scouts argue that a fully guaranteed roster spot on a player who only logged 12 games is an "inefficient use of resources" under the league's tighter financial rules, per Newsweek. They say the Pelicans could have found a younger, more mobile rim protector for emergency minutes instead.
The counterpoint is simple: Jordan was ready when called upon. He jumped into a starting role with little notice last season and averaged 17 minutes per game across those starts. If Queen or Missi get hurt, Jordan can step in immediately. The Pelicans are betting that his culture impact — and his ability to actually play — is worth every dollar of that $3.9 million.
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