ImpactEason will join a fully healthy roster Thursday, with the exception of Jock Landale (rest). Even with the entirety of Houston's cast of forwards set to suit up, Eason is among the more likely candidates for extended run.
OCTOBER 16•ROTOWIRE
Tari Eason - Back to action ThursdayEason (rest) will play in Thursday's preseason finale against San Antonio, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Jock Landale - Won't play ThursdayLandale (rest) will be inactive for Thursday's preseason finale against San Antonio, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ImpactLandale will represent the team's only healthy scratch Thursday as Houston continues ramping up for Wednesday's regular-season opener against Charlotte. Landale "has taken a few bangs in training camp," per Lerner, hence the lightened workload.
OCTOBER 16•ROTOWIRE
Josh Oduro - Waived by New OrleansOduro was waived by the Pelicans on Wednesday.
ImpactAfter signing an Exhibit 10 deal last week, Oduro is now cleared to join the Birmingham Squadron in the G League for the 2024-25 season.
OCTOBER 16•ROTOWIRE
Jordan Hawkins - Shines in preseason finaleHawkins finished with 20 points (6-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 5-5 FT) and two rebounds across 18 minutes off the bench in Tuesday's 118-98 preseason loss to the Rockets.
ImpactHawkins made his presence felt in the final game of the preseason, and the second-year guard showed throughout the preseason that he could contribute off the bench with the Pelicans, particularly as a scoring weapon in the second unit. He made 67 regular-season appearances, including 10 starts, as a rookie in 2023-24 and averaged 7.8 points per game, so he could find himself on the bench when the Pelicans open their 2024-25 regular season against the Bulls on Oct. 23.
OCTOBER 16•ROTOWIRE
Brandon Ingram - Scores 18 points in preseason lossIngram posted 18 points (7-13 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and three assists across 21 minutes in Tuesday's 118-98 preseason loss to the Rockets.
ImpactThis was Ingram's lone appearance of the preseason, and even though one game is not enough to draw conclusions, the former All-Star is expected to play a prominent two-way role for the Pelicans while being one of the primary offensive weapons alongside Zion Williamson. Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds and a combined 1.4 steals-plus-blocks across 64 regular-season appearances in 2023-24, making it the third straight year in which he averaged at least 20 points, five boards and five assists per game.
OCTOBER 16•ROTOWIRE
CJ McCollum - Poor shooting display TuesdayMcCollum recorded eight points (3-11 FG, 2-8 3Pt), five rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block across 20 minutes in Tuesday's 118-98 preseason loss to the Rockets.
ImpactMcCollum had a rough showing offensively Tuesday, though to be fair, the entire New Orleans squad struggled on offense since they racked up 98 total points -- and 20 of those came off the bench via Jordan Hawkins. That said, it's only a preseason game, and McCollum isn't at risk of losing his role in the starting lineup once the regular season begins against the Bulls on Oct. 23. The veteran guard will slot at shooting guard alongside newcomer Dejounte Murray in the backcourt.
OCTOBER 16•ROTOWIRE
Jabari Smith Jr. - Pulls down 10 boards TuesdaySmith finished with eight points (4-13 FG, 0-5 3Pt), 10 rebounds and five assists across 25 minutes in Tuesday's 118-98 preseason win over the Pelicans.
ImpactSmith posted solid numbers as a rebounder and playmaker, but there's no question he had a rough night from a shooting perspective. The third-year forward has averaged at least 12.5 points per game in his first two seasons in the league. He could reach the mark of 15.0 points per game with a higher usage rate, though it remains to be seen if the touches will be there considering he shares the court with Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet and Alperen Sengun, three players who also demand a fair share of touches on offense.
OCTOBER 16•ROTOWIRE
