Pelicans add another center, acquire Trey Jemison off waivers

The New Orleans Pelicans continue to make roster moves ahead of the 2024-25 season as they seek to fill their gap at center.

The Pelicans acquired center Trey Jemison and his two-way contract off waivers on Friday. Jemison, a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, played the bulk of last season, his rookie year, with the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G-League. The Squadron is the Pelicans' affiliate in the developmental league.

Jemison initially joined the Phoenix suns after going unselected in the 2023 NBA Draft. he later signed with the Pelicans, but the team waived him. Jemison logged some playing time in the NBA last season, playing two games with the Washington Wizards and 23 games with the Memphis Grizzlies. During his time with Memphis, Jemison averaged 7.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while logging an average of 25 minutes per performance.

The Grizzlies waved Jemison on July 24, allowing the Pelicans to claim his rights.

As a member of the Squadron, Jemison's stats were even better, averaging 13.6 points, 12.4 boards, and 1.7 assists per contest.

This is the third center the Pelicans have signed in the offseason. The Pelicans drafted French star Yves Missi 21st overall in the 2024 Draft. On July 8, the Pelicans signed former Indiana Pacer and Los Angeles Clipper Daniel Theis. Then on July 14, the Pelicans signed Karlo Matković, a dual center/power forward who played with Jemison in Birmingham last year.