NBA

Pelicans waive 13-year veteran Garrett Temple, save $5.4 million

By
James Foglio
Author photo
James Foglio Sports Editor

James is a Basketball Insiders contributor. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.

All posts by James Foglio
Sports Editor

Updated06 Jul 2023

Disclosure
We independently review everything we recommend based on our strict editorial guidelines. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn More
New Orleans Pelicans waive 13-year veteran Garrett Temple, save $5.4 million

The New Orleans Pelicans have waived 13-year veteran Garrett Temple to help save $5.4 million. Temple, 37, has a $5.401 million salary for the 2023-24 season. This is part of the three-year, $15.5 million contract the guard signed with the Chicago Bulls as part of a sign-and-trade agreement with New Orleans in August 2021.

His 2023-24 salary is non-guaranteed. However, the Pelicans are now more than $1 million over the luxury tax line. Five players have 2023-24 cap holds: Willy Hernangomez (bird; $4,863,890), Tony Snell (non-bird; $2,019,706), Gary Clark (non-bird; $1,801,769), Jared Harper (two-way; $1,801,769), and James Nunnally (two-way; $1,801,769).

According to a few NBA betting sites, the New Orleans Pelicans hold 13th-shortest odds to win next season’s championship in 2024. Check out which sportsbooks are showing better odds for the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, and Memphis Grizzlies.


Garrett Temple went undrafted out of LSU in 2009. The 6-foot-5 guard has played for 11 NBA teams: Houston Rockets (2009-10 season), Sacramento Kings (2009-10 season, 2016-18), San Antonio Spurs (2009-10 season), Milwaukee Bucks (2010-11 season), Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets (2010-11 season), and Washington Wizards (2012-16).

Additionally, the former Pelicans guard then played for the Grizzlies (2018-19 season), Clippers (2018-19 season), Brooklyn Nets (2019-20 season), Bulls (2020-21 season), and New Orleans (2021-23). In August 2021, Temple was traded by Chicago to the Pelicans for Lonzo Ball.

New Orleans Pelicans waive guard Garrett Temple to retain $5.4 million, remain $1 million over the luxury tax line

Temple made 16 starts in 59 appearances with New Orleans in the 2021-22 season. The Louisiana native averaged 5.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 18.6 minutes per game. He also shot 37.6% from the floor, 31.9% beyond the arc, and 68.3% at the foul line.

Furthermore, in the Pelicans’ 117-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 26, 2021, the guard scored a season-high 22 points in 36 minutes off the bench. Along with grabbing six boards and recording two blocks, Temple shot 9-of-17 (52.9%) from the field and drained two 3-pointers.


In 25 games off the bench with New Orleans in the 2022-23 season, Temple averaged 2.0 points and 6.5 minutes per game while shooting 40% from the floor, 42.3% from 3-point range, and 75% at the free throw line.

He played in a total of 84 games with the Pelicans.

NBA Betting Content You May Like