Pelicans Signing Daniel Theis To One-Year Contract

The New Orleans Pelicans intend to sign center Daniel Theis to a one-year contract, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Theis will earn $3.3 million on the deal, added Kelly Iko of The Athletic.

The journeyman big man is expected to help New Orleans following the losses of Jonas Valanciunas, Larry Nance Jr., and Cody Zeller. Valanciunas signed with the Washington Wizards in free agency, and Nance and Zeller were traded to the Hawks as part of the Dejounte Murray deal.

Theis, 32, appeared in 59 games with the Los Angeles Clippers this past season, averaging 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds. While undersized for a center at 6-foot-8, his physical play in the pivot has made him seem much taller and incredibly peskier.

He has also spent time with the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers.

Nonetheless, New Orleans will likely continue its search for centers, with only Theiss and rookie first-round pick Yves Missi as the main men in the middle. 

In other words, the Pelicans are still looking to deal after adding Murray. Brandon Ingram is believed to be their No. 1 trade candidate.

“New Orleans’ biggest need is a starting center,” wrote Christian Clark of NOLA.com. “It’s possible the Pelicans move Ingram to address that hole. The Pelicans would love to add Jarrett Allen, a low-maintenance rim protector and lob threat who is on a team-friendly contract. It’s unclear if the Cavaliers are willing to part with him. Cleveland president of basketball operations Koby Altman said he didn’t ‘envision breaking up’ his core group of players a few weeks ago.”