The New Orleans Pelicans have waived three players, as they begin the process of finalizing their regular season roster. New Orleans waived James Banks, Wenyen Gabriel and Malcolm Hill.
Gabriel is the most accomplished of the three at the NBA level. Gabriel has played for the Pelicans, Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers. He was signed to a two-year contract in 2020. Gabriel's salary for 2021-22 was fully non-guaranteed.
Banks and Hill were added earlier in the week, after New Orleans waived Zylan Cheatham and Jared Harper. Banks and Hill were added in hopes of gaining Affiliate Player rights for the G League.
All four players of Banks, Cheatham, Harper and Hill are expected to play with the Birmingham Squadron of the G League. 2021-22 is the first year New Orleans will have the Squadron as their singly-affiliated G League club.