BREAKING: New Orleans Pelicans Reportedly Release 13-Year NBA Veteran
Garrett Temple has been a solid role player in the NBA for 13 seasons.
However, this past year, Temple only averaged 6.5 minutes of playing time in 25 games for the New Orleans Pelicans.
On Wednesday, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the team will waive the 37-year-old.
Via Scotto: "Sources: The New Orleans Pelicans are waiving Garrett Temple, @hoopshype has learned. Temple’s $5.4 million salary for the 2023-24 season would’ve been fully guaranteed by July 7 if he remained on the roster."
Temple had spent the previous two seasons with New Orleans.
In addition to the Pelicans, he has also played for the Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Bobcats, Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.
His career averages are 6.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest while shooting 40.2% from the field and 34.5% from the three-point range in 716 regular season games (he has also played in 31 NBA Playoff games).
While he is no longer in his prime, Temple could be a valuable addition to a team based on his experience alone.
A young team looking to add veteran leadership, or a contender needing depth, makes sense.
As for the Pelicans, they are coming off a season where they were the ninth seed in the Western Conference with a 42-40 record.
They lost in their first play-in tournament game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, so the Pelicans did not make the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
