Pelicans Become Last Team To Finalize 18-Man Roster
The New Orleans Pelicans entered the day as one of three teams with an open roster spot. However, the Pelicans will indeed finish the season with a full complement of players as they inked Josh Oduro to a two-way deal, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Odura has played well for the Birmingham Squadron since going undrafted in 2024 out of Providence. More importantly, Oduro continues to improve as the season progresses.
Oduro is a 6-9, 240-pound big man who can play either the four or five. Oduro is a physical post player with a polished offensive repertoire and a high basketball IQ. He has a deep offensive bag as he can score with his back-to-the-basket and facing up. He has a soft touch around the run and can score off of spins, counters, as well as hook shots, while also showing improvement with his range. In addition, he is a solid rim-protector, passer, and screener.
However, Oduro is not an elite athlete as he plays below the rim. Oduro also has difficulty with lengthy centers and is a good but not great rebounder. He also doesn’t move laterally very well.
Oduro averages 14.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 29 minutes over 35 appearances. The 25-year-old has compiled 10 double-doubles with shooting splits of 56.3/29.7/63.6.
Oduro fills the Pelicans open minor league spot created by Bryce McGowens getting promoted. While Oduro has 11 games of NBA eligibility, he will spend most of the rest season with Birmingham. The Pelicans are completely healthy and they have several bigs, plus, Hunter Dickinson, who is also on a two-way deal, is also ahead of him. Trey Alexander is the other player on a two-way pact.
Other Moves
Cleveland inked Olivier Sarr to a two-way deal earlier today. Sarr, who has not appeared in a NBA game since 2023-24, replaces Darius Brown II who was waived yesterday. Brown signed his two-way pact with the Cavs last week and is expected to return to the team’s G-League affialiate.
Keshon Gilbert officially joined the Atlanta Hawks earlier today. The Hawks were one of Cavaliers were the other teams that entered today with less than 18 players on a standard deal.
