Antonio Reeves is currently looking for a new NBA team after the New Orleans Pelicans waived him on July 3, 2025. The 24-year-old guard, who played two seasons at Kentucky from 2022 to 2024, had a promising rookie season in 2024-25, appearing in 44 games with six starts and averaging 6.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 15 minutes per game.
Reeves demonstrated solid shooting efficiency with field goal, three-point, and free throw percentages of 45.6, 39.5, and 80 percent, respectively. His standout performance came in November when he scored a career-high 34 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Details of Reeves’ rookie season and contract background
Selected as the 47th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic, Reeves’ rights were immediately traded to New Orleans. He signed a three-year contract worth $5 million, including a team option for the final year. The Pelicans gave up two second-round pick swaps in 2030 and 2031 to secure his rights, yet decided to waive him after just one season.
During much of the 2024-25 season, Reeves played in the G League with the Birmingham Squadron, where he outperformed his competition. He was promoted to the Pelicans’ main roster for the last two months of the regular season as the team struggled and accumulated losses.
His most impressive stretch came during the final 12 games, where he started six times and averaged 14 points on improved shooting splits of 49.6 percent from the field, 43.5 percent from three-point range, and 77.3 percent from the free throw line. This late-season surge was highlighted by an average of 15.4 points over his last 10 games.
Context behind the Pelicans’ decision and roster changes
The Pelicans have undergone considerable front office changes since drafting Reeves. They had until July 23, 2025, to guarantee Reeves’ $1.96 million salary for the 2025-26 season but opted not to do so. This move also follows the team’s decision to decline the 2025-26 option for Reeves’ Kentucky teammate Brandon Boston Jr.
Reeves, originally from Chicago and turning 25 in November, now enters free agency. Given his sharpshooting ability and late-season improvement, he could attract interest from teams seeking depth at the guard position.
Reeves’ Kentucky connections and professional outlook
While at Kentucky, Antonio Reeves earned Third Team All-American honors and played alongside Brandon Boston Jr. and Keion Brooks Jr., both of whom attended Kentucky and were part of the Pelicans’ roster in 2024-25. Although Boston’s team option was also declined, such Kentucky alumni connections might still benefit Reeves as he explores new opportunities in the NBA.
His experience in both the G League and the NBA, coupled with strong shooting percentages and growth as a starter late in his rookie year, positions Reeves as a valuable role player for teams looking for outside shooting and guard depth heading into the new season.
“The New Orleans Pelicans have waived Antonio Reeves, league sources told @hoopshype. The 24-year-old guard averaged 6.9 points on 45.6% shooting from the field and 39.5% from 3-point range in 44 games for the Pelicans last season. In his last 10 games, he averaged 15.4 points.” —Michael Scotto, NBA Insider