Official waiver in New Orleans
The New Orleans Pelicans have waived guard Markquis Nowell, effective September 19, leaving him without an NBA team after a waiver transaction that confirms his exit from the main roster. The move is official and fits the usual preseason routine for players tied to G League affiliate Laketown Squadron.
The transaction appears in NBA.com oficial and was reported by HoopsHype, which places the cut on the same day Nowell signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the franchise and within the same procedural dynamic New Orleans uses to secure development-player rights in the G League.
Nowell profile
Nowell, a 5-foot-7 guard out of Kansas State, returns to the NBA environment after his European stint. He spent time with the Toronto Raptors and Raptors 905 on a two-way deal in 2023-24, played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and last season suited up for Kosner Baskonia, averaging 5.9 points and 3.1 assists per game.
HoopsHype notes that after this waiver, the most likely scenario points to Nowell suiting up again for the Laketown Squadron, the Pelicans G League affiliate, during the 2026-27 season.
What the waiver means
By leaving the Pelicans main roster, Nowell no longer occupies a preseason spot and becomes a free agent until his next step within the franchise ecosystem is defined. The move does not signal a break with the project, but rather the usual path between an Exhibit 10 contract and a G League destination.
For New Orleans, the cut fits the development structure the Pelicans are consolidating before training camp, prioritizing G League rights control rather than locking roster spots on the main NBA team.
Roster context
Nowell waiver comes in September, within the procedural wave before training camp. The transaction repeats the dynamic the Pelicans have used with other camp profiles signed to Exhibit 10 deals in this market window.
