New Orleans Pelicans Lock Down Rising Center With Fresh Contract Deal

The Pelicans' front office has been quietly working the phones over the past week, evaluating options to add frontcourt depth after monitoring their center rotation throughout the season. That search ended Tuesday with New Orleans inking Josh Oduro to a two-way contract, league sources confirm, giving the organization an athletic big man who can bounce between the NBA roster and the G League as needed.

According to Shams Charania, the Pelicans are bringing aboard Oduro, a 6-foot-9 center who went undrafted out of Providence in 2024 after previously playing at George Mason. Those close to the situation say New Orleans has been impressed with Oduro's physicality and rebounding ability during recent workouts and evaluations. The two-way deal provides the Pelicans with roster flexibility while giving Oduro an opportunity to prove himself at the highest level.

The signing addresses a specific need for New Orleans, which has been looking to bolster its depth chart behind its primary rotation bigs. Two-way contracts allow players to spend up to 50 games with the NBA club while developing in the G League, making them ideal for organizations looking to cultivate young talent without committing a full roster spot. For a Pelicans team that has dealt with injury concerns throughout the franchise's recent history, having viable options who can step in on short notice has become a front office priority.

Oduro brings an intriguing skill set to the organization. During his final collegiate season at Providence, he averaged double figures in scoring and proved capable of protecting the rim while providing energy off the bench. The coaching staff sees him as someone who can contribute immediately in specific matchups while continuing to refine his offensive game with the Birmingham Squadron, New Orleans' G League affiliate.

The front office has been methodical in how it approaches these types of signings, preferring players who fit the team's culture and can accept developmental roles. League sources indicate that Oduro impressed team officials not just with his physical tools but with his work ethic and coachability during the evaluation process.

What happens next depends largely on Oduro's performance in practice and how quickly he adapts to the NBA game. The Pelicans will likely shuttle him between Birmingham and New Orleans based on roster needs and matchups. If he shows enough progress, there's always the possibility of converting the two-way deal into a standard NBA contract down the line, though that remains uncertain at this early stage.

Source: https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2029200101319557407