Official waiver in New Orleans
The New Orleans Pelicans have waived forward-center Johnny O'Neil with immediate effect, leaving him without an NBA team effective September 15. The move, already effective according to the league's official player movement log, confirms the big man's exit from the franchise ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The transaction is listed on NBA.com oficial and was picked up by HoopsHype on the same day, when New Orleans executed the waiver on a player who remained tied to the organization.
O'Neil profile
O'Neil, a 6-foot-10 forward-center, reached the NBA as an undrafted free agent after five college seasons: three at American and two at Santa Clara. In his final collegiate year he averaged 7.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.0 block in 21.9 minutes on .432/.396/.778 shooting.
His profile blends interior size with floor-spacing ability, traits the Pelicans had been evaluating in preseason to test him in short-rotation minutes.
What the waiver means
Once off the main roster, O'Neil becomes a free agent until his next step is defined. He no longer occupies a preseason roster spot for New Orleans, giving the franchise flexibility to reshape the back end of its roster before the window closes.
The most common scenario in similar moves within the Pelicans project runs through G League affiliate Birmingham Squadron, although that path will depend on whether both sides reconnect and the contractual framework of any future agreement.
Roster context
The waiver frees an additional spot in New Orleans' orbit for 2026/27. O'Neil's exit fits the back-end roster churn the Pelicans have executed in preseason to adjust profiles and roster slots before the regular season begins.
