Saddiq Bey Emerging as Key Offensive Option for Pelicans
As the Pelicans search for consistency, Saddiq Bey has become a reliable scoring presence when Zion Williamson and others are contained.
- Glenn Catubig
- 3 min read
Within every NBA locker room, countless factors can shape a player’s status—contracts, endorsements, draft position, and reputation. But when games tighten and decisions must be made quickly on the floor, one factor typically determines the hierarchy: performance. For the New Orleans Pelicans, that reality has become increasingly clear during the 2025–26 season.
Several players have stepped into leadership roles throughout the year. Guards like Dejounte Murray and wings such as Trey Murphy III have delivered impactful performances at various points in the season. Yet as the team continues experimenting with lineups and offensive strategies, another name has steadily risen to prominence.
Forward Saddiq Bey has become a dependable option when the Pelicans need offense. Particularly during stretches when Zion Williamson is facing defensive pressure or struggling to find his rhythm, Bey has often been the player teammates turn to for scoring stability.
That growing role has not gone unnoticed by interim head coach James Borrego. In fact, according to Borrego, the push to continue feeding Bey the ball often comes directly from the players themselves during games.
1. Riding the Hot Hand
Borrego explained that when Bey establishes momentum offensively, the team has learned to continue exploiting that advantage. The philosophy is straightforward: when a player finds a favorable matchup and begins producing consistently, the offense should continue working through that option until the defense forces an adjustment. For Bey, that often means receiving opportunities in the post, where his combination of strength and touch can create scoring chances. Once he gains confidence in those situations, teammates have become increasingly comfortable returning to him repeatedly. The approach has produced positive results. Even when opposing defenses attempt to collapse or send help defenders, Bey’s presence in the post frequently generates open looks for other players on the perimeter. Borrego noted that these decisions are often made organically by the players on the floor. Rather than directing every possession from the sideline, he allows the team to recognize favorable situations and capitalize on them.
2. Building Chemistry Within the Lineup
As the season has progressed, the Pelicans have shown signs of improved cohesion. After dealing with injuries and lineup adjustments earlier in the year, the roster has recently spent more time playing together, allowing players to better understand each other’s tendencies. That familiarity has helped the offense flow more naturally. When one player begins to find a rhythm, teammates are increasingly quick to recognize it and adjust accordingly. Murphy, for instance, has had stretches where his perimeter shooting becomes the focal point of the offense. In those moments, teammates are aware of his hot hand and make an effort to create opportunities for him. The same principle applies to Bey and Williamson. When either player gains momentum offensively, the team has shown a willingness to adapt and allow that player to carry the scoring load for extended stretches.
3. Bey’s Consistency Paying Off
Bey’s steady production has been one of the more encouraging developments for New Orleans this season. Through 60 games, he has averaged 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from three-point range. Those numbers become even more significant during games when Williamson faces extra defensive attention. While Williamson remains the centerpiece of the Pelicans’ offense—averaging over 21 points per game on efficient shooting—teams often design their defensive schemes specifically to limit his impact. In those situations, Bey’s ability to step forward and deliver reliable scoring becomes essential. His versatility allows him to contribute in multiple ways, whether attacking inside, spacing the floor from three-point range, or facilitating ball movement. Williamson has openly praised Bey’s professionalism and adaptability. According to the Pelicans’ star forward, Bey consistently embraces whatever role the team asks him to fill, whether starting, coming off the bench, or taking on additional scoring responsibilities.