Pelicans Convert EJ Liddell Contract to Standard Deal

The Pelicans have converted the two-way contract for forward E.J. Liddell to a standard deal, per the NBA transactions log.

Liddell, 22, will receive a three-year, $6.2 million contract with a player option in year three, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Drafted with the No. 44 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Liddell missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in a summer league game. New Orleans still signed him to one of their two-way slots, knowing he would be unavailable.

He will make his return on Friday in this year’s Las Vegas Summer League.

“Wooh, lot of nerves,” Liddell said, via Rod Walker of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “If you see me smiling, a lot of nerves. But just know (I’m) super excited to be out there.”

The New Orleans Pelicans are signing forward EJ Liddell to a new three-year, $6.2 million deal, with a team option in the third season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Liddell was on a two-way contract after suffering a torn ACL in summer league last summer.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 6, 2023