The New Orleans Pelicans signed and waived Aziz Bandaogo Wednesday. The 7-foot center is expected to continue his path with New Orleans' NBA G League affiliate, the Laketown Squadron, for the 2026-27 season.
Bandaogo's deal with the Pelicans was presumably an Exhibit 10 contract, which would give New Orleans his G League rights. If he spends at least 60 days with the Squadron, he could receive a bonus of up to $91,000 in addition to his standard G League salary.
The Squadron acquired Bandaogo's returning player rights from Raptors 905 on September 10. In exchange, Laketown sent Raptors 905 its first-round selection in the 2027 NBA G League Player Draft. That pick had been acquired from Long Island via Santa Cruz and Wisconsin in a September 5 trade.
Article Continues BelowBandaogo was selected No. 2 overall by Raptors 905 in the 2026 NBA G League International Draft in July. The 25-year-old Senegalese forward spent the 2025-26 season with Buyukcekmece in Turkey, appearing in 28 games and averaging 7.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 18.4 minutes per game.
Before turning professional, Bandaogo played five collegiate seasons from 2020-25, making stops at Akron and Utah Valley before finishing at Cincinnati. During his final season with the Bearcats, he started all 35 games and contributed 7.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per contest.
Bandaogo also appeared in three games for the Raptors' 2026 Summer League team, recording six points, eight rebounds and six blocks across 19.9 minutes.