Why did New Orleans Pelicans sign DeAndre Jordan? NBA star makes a surprising move as the team faces an unexpected twist before tip-off

According to ESPN on Friday morning, NBA veteran center Deandre Jordan has joined the New Orleans Pelicans. The team made the decision to use his knowledge to face the problems brought on by important players' health issues. Jordan averaged 3.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 2024–25 while playing with the Nuggets for the previous three seasons. Now, the team decided to add center DeAndre Jordan when Yves Missi and Kevon Looney were injured.Just hours before the Pelicans' home opener against the San Antonio Spurs, ESPN's Shams Charania revealed that Jordan has signed a one-year contract with the organization. When Yves Missi is doubtful to play in the second game of the regular season and Kevon Looney is sidelined due to injury, Jordan has provided the much-needed depth. According to reports, he has a one-year, $3.6 million contract. As insider said:“The New Orleans Pelicans and DeAndre Jordan have agreed to a deal, league sources told @hoopshype. The 17-year NBA veteran has averaged 8.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks with the Clippers, Mavericks, Knicks, Nets, Lakers, 76ers, and Nuggets…”The Pelicans signed him amid early injury issues. Jordan was signed by the team on Friday morning, while Yves Missi was anticipated to lose time due to an ankle injury. Karlo Matkovic and Kevon Looney, who were just signed, are already sidelined by injury. Looney will likely miss two to three weeks of action after spraining his left knee just before the regular season started. Missi is categorized as day-to-day after leaving Wednesday night's Memphis opening due to a twisted right ankle.It is also uncertain if Matkovic will play in Friday's matchup with San Antonio. Lastly, ESPN's Shams Charania stated on Wednesday that Murray might make a comeback shortly after the new year.Only two rookies, Derik Queen and Hunter Dickinson, were available for the team's home opener against the San Antonio Spurs and star center Victor Wembenyama too as a result of those absences. Queen only recently recovered from a wrist injury and surgery that kept him out of training camp, but he played 14 minutes in the season opener and finished with 3 points and 5 rebounds. Zion Williamson or Saddiq Bey might fill in at number five if the Saints decide to go small.Jordan is a well-known figure from his time as an All-Star center with the Los Angeles Clippers and is starting his 18th NBA season. With the Pelicans sans Kevon Looney, Jordan joins a frontline in New Orleans that also includes All-Star Zion Williamson and second-year center Yves Missi. Although he didn't play much during the Nuggets' march to the NBA championship in 2022–2023, he was Denver's most dependable center in the previous campaign. Jordan has appeared in 1,111 games and 73 playoff games during his career, playing for eight different teams. He is now expected by teammates and coaches to mentor younger players in addition to covering the rotation void. Also read: DeAndre Jordan enjoys Japanese lifestyle, goes viral with comedian Kazuhisa Uekusa amid NBA retirement buzz