The New Orleans Pelicans have not waived guard Jordan Poole, a false report that gained traction online this week. This comes as the team, coming off a 132-126 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 13, 2026, has seen limited offseason movement, frustrating some fans.
A fabricated social media post from a fake reporter account, 'Owen Prescott,' incorrectly stated the Pelicans had cut the 27-year-old point guard. While such rumors are common, this one spread widely enough to confuse other publications. Pelicans Roundtable has confirmed the report is completely false. Jordan Poole remains on the New Orleans roster with his full $34 million salary for the upcoming season fully guaranteed.
Why is Jordan Poole still on the Pelicans roster?
Waiving Poole would provide zero financial relief for the Pelicans. His contract is fully guaranteed, meaning the team would still owe him the entire $34 million even if they released him. Cutting him would simply be paying him not to play, which makes no basketball or financial sense. The Pelicans' front office is well aware of this reality.
Their goal is to move his contract via trade to clear cap space. Finding a trade partner for a large, expiring deal is challenging, but not impossible. Poole's contract expires after this season, which could make him more attractive to teams closer to the NBA trade deadline looking for financial flexibility next summer.
How does this impact the Pelicans' offseason?
Poole's salary is a significant obstacle. That $34 million is actively preventing the Pelicans from making meaningful roster upgrades in free agency or via trade. It handcuffs their ability to pursue other players who could help them improve upon their recent form of two wins and three losses in their last five games.
The team's financial situation is tight. This lack of flexibility is a primary reason the offseason has been so quiet for New Orleans. Fans hoping for a splashy move will likely have to wait until the trade market heats up. You can track the team's current roster construction on our [squad](/squad) page.
What's next for the Pelicans and Jordan Poole?
The most likely path forward is a trade. The Pelicans will continue to shop Poole's expiring contract, hoping a contender or a team with cap space emerges as a suitor. His ability to score in bunches could interest a team needing offensive punch off the bench.
Until a deal is found, Poole is expected to report to training camp. The Pelicans will hope he can provide value on the court while they work the phones. The front office faces a difficult task, balancing patience with the urgency to build a competitive team around their core. For now, the false waiver rumor is just noise, but the very real contract situation remains a major storyline for New Orleans heading into the new season. Check the latest team news and updates on our [club_news](/club_news) page.
