The New Orleans Pelicans are finalizing their preparations for training camp, which will take place next week in Nashville, Tennessee, instead of their usual location in New Orleans. This change is due to ongoing renovations at their home facility. To enhance their training camp roster, the Pelicans signed three players to Exhibit-10 contracts.
The three new signings are Izaiah Brockington, Keion Brooks Jr., and Galen Robinson Jr. An Exhibit-10 contract is a one-year deal that is non-guaranteed and typically offered at the league’s minimum salary. Such contracts are often utilized to invite players to training camp, with many being waived before the season starts.
Izaiah Brockington had a brief stint with the Pelicans last season, appearing in one game where he scored four points. He also played for the G League affiliate, Birmingham Squadron, participating in 33 games and averaging 12.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
Galen Robinson Jr. was a teammate of Brockington on the Squadron, where he played 22 games. Standing at 6-foot-1, Robinson averaged five points, two rebounds, and 2.7 assists. After a college career at the University of Houston, he went undrafted in 2019, spending time in both the G League and overseas before joining the Squadron last season.
Keion Brooks Jr. is an undrafted rookie who showcased his skills on the Pelicans’ Summer League team, where he averaged 9.8 points and 3.5 rebounds. The former University of Washington standout received First Team All-Pac 12 honors last year and is known for his athleticism and versatility as a 6-foot-7 forward.
These signings come shortly after the Pelicans added former guard Elfrid Payton to their training camp roster. Payton, a native of the New Orleans area, had a notable impact during his previous season with the team, including a triple-double in his debut and a remarkable stretch with five consecutive triple-doubles.
Interestingly, the Pelicans did not sign any centers for training camp, indicating a preference for a small-ball approach in their game strategy. The team plans to rely on Daniel Theis, rookie Yves Missi, and Trey Jemison as their designated centers.
In addition to these players, Zion Williamson, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Karlo Matkovic are expected to see time at the center position, adding to the team’s versatility. The Pelicans are gearing up for a dynamic training camp and the upcoming season.
The team will spend a week in Nashville before kicking off their preseason with a home game against the Orlando Magic on October 7. Following this, they will play the remainder of their preseason games on the road.
New Orleans is set to open its regular season at home against the Chicago Bulls on October 23, marking an exciting start to the new basketball year. With these roster moves, the Pelicans aim to position themselves competitively in the league.