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Wenyen Gabriel is headed to New Orleans to join the Pelicans on a two-year deal that features a team option in the second year. ESPN NBA reporter Andrew Lopez detailed the agreement between the Pelicans and the former Trail Blazers forward on Monday.
The Pelicans have signed forward Wenyen Gabriel and guard Sindarius Thornwell, source tells ESPN.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) November 23, 2020
Both on vet minimum deals.
Gabriel on a two-year deal with a team option on second year. Thornwell sticks around after spending bubble with Pels.
Along with Gabriel, the Pelicans also signed wing Sindarius Thornwell. New Orleans now has 14 players on its roster.
Last season, Gabriel arrived in Portland as part of the trade that sent Kent Bazemore to the Kings and Trevor Ariza to the Blazers. In the regular season, Gabriel appeared in 19 contests (one start) and averaged 2.3 points and 2.2 rebounds. In the playoffs, he stepped into a larger role after Zach Collins suffered a foot injury. Against the Lakers, he was featured in four games, two of them starts.
In a season that was full of ups and downs, Gabriel’s brief stint in Portland was one of the bright spots. We wish him the best at his next stop.