Ex-Warriors, Pelicans Guard Agrees To Deal With Orlando Magic

Former Golden State Warriors and New Orleans Pelicans guard agrees to deal with the Orlando Magic

Mar 24, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Lester Quinones (22) hugs Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) after the game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Pelicans were gifted a generational talent in the 2012 NBA Draft, when they jumped up to the first overall pick with 13.7% odds to select Anthony Davis from Kentucky. Arguably the greatest one-and-done prospect in history, the Pelicans' best season with him was in 2017-18, winning 48 games and making the second round.

Davis has since been traded, and now the Pelicans have a new era led by a mix of young players and veterans trying to take the next step. The verdict still remains out on Zion Williamson, as he's proven he can be a game-changer when he's on the court.

"Definitely. I don't think anyone in that class is ever going to be better than me... Most of those guys I beat on in High School... Just beat on them next year and make Joe look like a genius"

-- Derik Queen on being motivated by the noise around the trade pic.twitter.com/aWiIkZ4eJK

— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) June 28, 2025

This offseason, the Pelicans have made several moves, such as trading for Jordan Poole and trading up to draft Derik Queen 13th overall. The move for Queen came with some backlash, given the Pelicans gave up their unprotected first-round pick in 2026, in which Atlanta will get the more favorable of New Orleans' or Milwaukee's first.

Earlier on Monday, the Pelicans made a move to shape out the rest of their roster, signing free agent forward Jalen McDaniels. As is the case in most teams' offseasons, the Pelicans let some players go, as one of their two-way players from this past season has found a new team.

The Orlando Magic and Lester Quinones have agreed to a deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Quinones will compete for a roster or two-way spot. He averaged 8.6 points in 9 games for the Pelicans and 21.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals in the G League last year. pic.twitter.com/VXSTS60F86

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) August 18, 2025

Reported by HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Orlando Magic have agreed to a deal with guard Lester Quinones. Prior to his stint with the Pelicans, Quinones played briefly with the Philadelphia 76ers last season and spent the beginning years of his career with the Golden State Warriors.

Lester Quinones' Basketball Journey

Before making it to the NBA, Quinones played for the Memphis Tigers across three seasons. He never had any eye-popping stats, averaging 10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds across his three years. He did impress as a three-point shooter, though, shooting 39.4% from deep in his final two seasons.

Lester Quinones had a spectacular all-around game at #NBA2KSummerLeague 🔥

32 PTS
4 REB
6 AST
3 STL
2 BLK
4 3PM pic.twitter.com/nZFOoURB37

— NBA (@NBA) July 15, 2023

During his time with the Warriors, Quinones appeared in 41 games, averaging 4.2 points and 1.8 rebounds. However, he was productive in the G-League, averaging over 20 points per game in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

Looking at this addition for Orlando, Quinones will look to compete for a standard contract or join the team on a two-way. The Magic have plenty of star power with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner leading the way, but shooters like Quinones are exactly what they need to take that next step as a contender.

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