The New Orleans Pelicans have officially brought forward Garrison Brooks into their fold, a development poised to bolster their roster depth. This acquisition marks a significant step for Brooks, offering him a clear pathway to showcase his abilities within the esteemed NBA system. The strategic nature of his contract, an Exhibit 10 deal, underscores a mutual benefit, providing the team with flexibility and the player with substantial incentive to develop within their affiliated G League program.
New Orleans Pelicans Secure Forward Garrison Brooks on Exhibit 10 Agreement
In a significant move for the New Orleans Pelicans, the team recently finalized an agreement with free agent forward Garrison Brooks. This transaction, confirmed by Brooks' agent, Darrell Comer, and veteran NBA reporter Chris Haynes, sees the athletic 26-year-old joining the organization on an Exhibit 10 contract.
While the precise financial terms of the agreement have not been publicly disclosed, the nature of an Exhibit 10 deal outlines a clear pathway for Brooks. Crucially, the Pelicans' G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, recently secured Brooks' returning player rights. This arrangement means that if Brooks is waived by the Pelicans prior to the commencement of the regular season, he stands to receive a substantial bonus of up to $85,300, provided he spends a minimum of 60 days with the Squadron. This bonus would be in addition to his standard G League salary, offering a compelling incentive for his development and commitment.
Brooks, who concluded his collegiate career at Mississippi State in 2022 and went undrafted, has a diverse professional background. His rookie G League season was spent with the Westchester Knicks, where he demonstrated considerable promise. Following this, he had a brief stint in Korea in 2023 before spending the majority of the past two seasons competing for BC Wolves in Lithuania.
During the recent EuroCup season, Brooks was a consistent presence for the Wolves, participating in 18 contests. Across an average of 20.3 minutes per game, he contributed 7.1 points and secured 4.1 rebounds. His previous G League campaign with Westchester saw him deliver impressive double-double averages, recording 13.6 points and 11.6 rebounds over 37 games, often playing more than 30 minutes each outing.
In July, reports from Spencer Davies of RG.org highlighted Brooks' participation in a Las Vegas pro day with the CSE agency. His performance there generated notable attention, positioning him as a strong candidate for an NBA training camp invitation, a prediction that has now materialized with his signing by the New Orleans Pelicans.
From a sports reporter's perspective, the Pelicans' decision to sign Garrison Brooks on an Exhibit 10 contract is a shrewd, low-risk, high-reward maneuver. It reflects a growing trend in the NBA where teams are increasingly leveraging their G League affiliates to cultivate talent. For Brooks, this opportunity is a testament to his perseverance and consistent performance across various leagues. It underscores the vital role the G League plays as a developmental bridge to the NBA, offering undrafted players like Brooks a tangible path to achieve their professional dreams and earn a significant financial incentive while doing so. This signing not only provides the Pelicans with additional depth and competition in their training camp but also offers Brooks a prime stage to prove he belongs at the highest level of professional basketball.
