Saddiq Bey quietly had an impressive last season (quiet because who was really watching Pelicans games by the end), averaging 17.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. It was especially impressive considering he had missed the previous season due to a torn ACL.
New Orleans is rewarding him, with the Pelicans and Bey agreeing to a three-year, $55.5 million extension, his agents from Excel Sports Management told Shams Charania of ESPN. This is fully guaranteed and takes him through the summer of 2030.
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This is a big raise for Bey, 27, who is set to make $6.4 million this season in the final year of his current contract. The extension’s average annual salary of $18.5 million is a little above the mid-level exception right now, but it’s not out of line with how Bey produced last season. Also, this is a very tradable contract size if New Orleans ever needs to go that route, though the contract does have a trade kicker.
It’s worth noting that new Pelicans general manager Troy Weaver drafted Bey out of Villanova back when Weaver was with the Pistons.
Bey had been a rock-solid role player for the Pistons and Hawks before being traded to the Pelicans in the 2025 offseason. Unfortunately, before he ever set foot on the court that season he tore his ACL and went through a year of rehab.
Last season he bounced back with the best season of his career — he started on the bench and by the eighth game of the season then-coach Willie Green wisely moved him into the starting lineup. He took on more of the offense but kept his efficiency at an all-time high for him (36.7% from 3-point range, .579 true shooting percentage).
If he continues to perform at that level for new Pelicans coach Jamahl Mosley, this is a good deal for both sides.
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