Updated New Orleans Pelicans Roster After Saturday's Player Swap

The New Orleans Pelicans filled out their roster right before training camp kicked off, but that doesn't mean that they can't keep toying with things. Over a week into training camp and a few preseason games in, they decided to make a bit of a swap.

News broke on Friday that the Pelicans released center Christian Koloko, who was on a one-year, non-guaranteed training camp deal. He was signed as a potential answer on defense with a possible two-way landing spot, but the team moved on to make room for a prospect they clearly like.

New Orleans made it official on Sunday as it announced it as a corresponding move to the signing of forward Jalon Moore. Moore was a member of the Pelicans' Summer League team earlier this summer. He was someone who could have been a second-round pick in 2025, but suffered a torn ACL.

Troy Weaver obviously liked what he saw in the 23-year-old back in college. He saw a ton of him while scouting Jeremiah Fears, as he and Moore were teammates on the Oklahoma Sooners that season. There was a lot to like that season, as he posted 15.9 points and 5.8 rebounds on 47.1/38.1/84.0 shooting splits.

It was said after they moved on from Koloko, but it always made more sense for that roster spot to go to another wing who could be a little more versatile than a pure center who didn't bring much on offense.

Moore was a versatile defender back in college, and that is going to be his way into staying on New Orleans' radar. He could technically work his way into one of those two-way spots that is currently held by someone else, but this is most likely a look at him before going to the G League team again.

Here is an updated look at the Pelicans' roster after this swap, remaining at a total of 21 players:

PG Jeremiah Fears

PG Dejounte Murray

Combo Guard Jordan Poole

SG AJ Johnson

SG Jaron Pierre Jr.  - Two-Way Contract

G Kobe Bufkin - Training Camp

SF/SG Trey Murphy III

SG/SF Herbert Jones Jr.

SG Bennedict Mathurin

F Saddiq Bey

SG/SF Bryce McGowens

SG/SF Caleb Houstan - Training Camp

SF Jalon Moore - Training Camp

PF Zion Williamson

C Yves Missi

C/F Derik Queen

C Karlo Matkovic

C DeAndre Jordan

F Trendon Watford

F Julian Reese - Two-Way Contract

F Malik Dia - Two-Way Contract