Julian Reese is on the New Orleans Pelicans roster as confirmed by the official roster on Thursday, Sep 24. The 23-year-old forward enters his second season after averaging 11.8 points and 10.5 rebounds in 13 games last season.
The move
Reese joins the Pelicans from free agency; no prior club or transaction is on record for him. New Orleans added him to the roster on Thursday, Sep 24, bringing the roster to 21 players: the standard 15 plus three two-way spots. No report preceded the move; none is logged from the injury report or from a named source, so the roster itself is the only record of the move.
The money
Reese's contract is not on file yet; public salary data can lag a signing by a day, so his cap hit and contract length are not announced. The Pelicans carry a payroll of $204.3 million across 19 contracts for 2026-27, over the luxury tax. The cap sits at $165.0 million, the tax line at $200.4 million, the first apron at $209.0 million and the second apron at $221.7 million, all already exceeded by New Orleans' current payroll.
The fit
Reese averaged 11.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 30.9 minutes over 13 games last season. He joins a New Orleans frontcourt that logged heavy minutes in 2025-26: Trey Murphy III at 35.5 minutes and 21.5 points, Zion Williamson at 29.7 minutes and 21.0 points, Saddiq Bey at 31.2 minutes and 17.7 points, and Josh Oduro at 27.3 minutes and 8.3 points. The Pelicans now carry 21 players on the roster.
What is Julian Reese's contract with the Pelicans?
It is not on file yet; public salary data can lag a signing by a day.
Did a report precede the move?
No transaction or injury report preceded it; none is logged.
How many players are on the Pelicans roster now?
21 players: 15 on standard contracts and three on two-way deals.
Is New Orleans over the luxury tax?
Yes. The payroll is $204.3 million across 19 contracts for 2026-27, above the $200.4 million tax line, the $209.0 million first apron and the $221.7 million second apron.