New Orleans Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey has outshone expectations, delivering elite scoring and efficiency.
The New Orleans Pelicans made a major trade this past offseason with the Washington Wizards, adding Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey to their roster.
Poole was the focus of the trade, but it's actually been Bey that has made his mark as one of the Pelicans' best players this season.
Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz recently made a list of the "hidden gems" on each team that deserve more respect. For the Pelicans, it was Bey. By far the most deserving player on their roster.
The 26-year-old is averaging 16.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 44.8/35.2/85.0 shooting splits. He's the third-highest scoring player on the team while being the eighth-highest paid. His contract has had incredible value for New Orleans.
He's been especially good since the start of 2026. In the new calendar year, he's averaging 20.0 points on 45.9/41.0/90.2 splits. He's been shooting the ball very well, which is something that this team desperately needed.
It's been great to watch him come back from a major injury and now be viewed in such a positive light. He's beloved by his teammates and has won over the hearts of Pelicans fans.
Bey tore his ACL in his final season with the Atlanta Hawks. He had signed a three-year, $19 million contract with the Wizards in hopes of building back his value. He ended up never suiting up for Washington and is now playing better than he has before.
It has now become a priority for many to keep Bey around even past when his contract ends after next season. It may depend on how the team performs next year and whether or not the front office embraces a rebuild, but no one will complain about him getting a new deal.
The former Villanova Wildcats standout has always been a "hooper." His play style is fun to watch. He scored 51 points with the Detroit Pistons in his second season.
Now, whenever he shows out for New Orleans, his teammates are quick to remind everyone that it shouldn't be a surprise.
The Pelicans have a +3.1 net rating with Bey on the court, which is tied with Trey Murphy for the third-biggest impact on the team. The offense is much better, and the defense is about the same.
Not only can he score at will, but he's extremely trustworthy with the ball in his hands. He has the lowest turnover rate in the league for forwards at 5.3%. The only other starter on the team below double digits is Murphy at 9.9%.
There haven't been many things that have gone well for New Orleans this year, but Bey is one of them.