The New Orleans Pelicans have exercised Karlo Matkovic's third-year option.
With the NBA draft now past, the New Orleans Pelicans are preparing for free agency. That starts in-house as they have a couple of decisions to make on team options.
The team announced on Thursday afternoon that they had exercised the third-year option for big man Karlo Matkovic, who will now be on the books for $2.23 million next season. A good value for someone who has developed into a solid backup big.
Matkovic averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game on 60.4/42.2/73.2 shooting splits and 14.7 minutes last year. That isn't otherworldly production, but certain has its place on the bench.
It was the previous front office that picked him as a draft-and-stash player back in 2022 with the No. 52 pick. He came over to the NBA back in 2024, and has showcased the potential that got him drafted. He's a great athlete who can jump through the gym, and is really the only big on the team who can shoot.
There was really no chance that the Pelicans didn't pick this option up. They are super limited in how they can add to this roster right now, so losing someone who plays solid minutes on the court would be hard to replace.
The next decision that New Orleans has to make is the Kevon Looney's $8 million team option. That one is less likely to be conveyed, given how tight the Pelicans are for cash. Free Agency begins in a few days on June 30.
