The New Orleans Pelicans have signed undrafted rookie forward Malik Dia to a two-way contract, adding young depth to their frontcourt. This move follows a season where the team lost its final two games, including a 132-126 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 13, finishing their last five games with a 2-3 record.
Who is Malik Dia?
Malik Dia is a 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward who completed his college career at Mississippi. As a senior, he averaged 14.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, shooting 45.2% from the field. He previously played at Vanderbilt and Belmont before his two seasons with the Rebels. After going undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, Dia played for the Pelicans' Summer League squad in Las Vegas.
In five Summer League contests, Dia put up averages of 10 points, 5.8 rebounds, and one steal per game. His shooting splits were 37.5% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range. This performance provided the Pelicans' front office a closer look at his potential fit within their system before offering him the two-way deal.
Why did the Pelicans make this signing?
The Pelicans' frontcourt saw significant turnover this offseason. Veteran big men Kevon Looney and Josh Oduro departed the roster. Furthermore, the team waived Hunter Dickinson, another undrafted big man who appeared in five games for New Orleans during the 2025-26 season. Dia's signing helps address this depth chart shift.
With the team not projected as a playoff contender for the 2026-27 season, developing young talent becomes a priority. Dia's two-way contract allows him to split time between the NBA club and the Laketown Squadron, the Pelicans' G League affiliate. This gives him consistent playing time to refine his skills. If injuries occur, he could be called upon as a depth piece for the NBA roster, similar to Dickinson's path last year.
What does the Pelicans' frontcourt look like now?
Following the signing of Malik Dia and the other roster moves, the Pelicans' frontcourt rotation for the upcoming season is taking shape. The group currently includes veteran center DeAndre Jordan, young big men Karlo Matkovic and Yves Missi, rookie Derik Queen, star forward Zion Williamson, and now Dia. This mix of experience and youth will be a focal point as the team builds for the future.
The team's recent form, with two wins and three losses in its last five games, highlights areas for improvement. Fans can track the development of this new-look frontcourt and the team's progress throughout the season on the official [squad](/squad) and [stats](/stats) pages. The primary goal for Dia in his rookie year will be to make an impact with the Laketown Squadron and prove he belongs at the NBA level.
What's next for the Pelicans?
Training camp and the preseason are just around the corner, providing Malik Dia his first official opportunity to integrate with the team. His immediate battle will be for playing time in a frontcourt that has several established names. The bulk of his rookie season will likely be spent in the G League, where he can work on his consistency and expand his game.
The Pelicans' overall roster construction suggests a season focused on evaluation and growth. While the team aims to be competitive, the long-term development of players like Dia, Missi, and Queen will be closely watched. How this young core performs could dictate the franchise's direction in the coming years. For now, Dia's signing represents a low-risk, high-reward move to add a promising piece to the organization's pipeline.
