McGowens signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans on Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

McGowens will be with his third team in four years since entering the NBA ranks back in 2022. The 23-year-old wing spent the 2024-25 campaign on a two-way contract with Portland, averaging 2.5 minutes in 13 NBA appearances. He'll fill the Pelicans' third and final two-way slot, and he'll have to compete with the likes of Trey Alexander and Micah Peavy for a slot in the back end of the rotation. Considering New Orleans' quality depth at the shooting guard and small forward positions, it's likely McGowens spends a significant chunk of the 2025-26 season in the G League.

McGowens will miss the rest of the regular season after suffering a right rib fracture during Monday's G League game with the Rip City Remix, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

EDGE Analysis

McGowens was the Remix's leading scorer in the G League, and across his last 10 outings he averaged 30.0 points on 50.3 percent shooting along with 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks over 32.8 minutes per game. He appeared in 13 games for the Trail Blazers but averaged just 2.5 minutes per game. McGowens is on a one-year, two-way contract with the Trail Blazers, and it's unclear whether he'll return to the organization for the 2025-26 campaign.

McGowens (shoulder) registered two points (1-1 FG) across 3:46 of playing time in Team G League's 25-14 loss to Team C in the final of the Rising Stars event Friday.

EDGE Analysis

McGowens had a far bigger impact during Team G League's 40-39 win over Team M in the semifinals, finishing with 12 points (5-90 FG, 2-4 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and two steals while hitting the game-winning three to advance to the finals. McGowens had been dealing with a shoulder injury prior to the All-Star break, but that didn't prevent him from participating in Friday's Rising Stars event. The 2022 second-round pick will likely return to the G League with the Rip City Remix following the All-Star break.

McGowens (elbow) is available to play Saturday against the Spurs.

EDGE Analysis

McGowens has been dealing with a right elbow injury, but he'll be able to suit up Saturday. His lone regular-season appearance came against the Lakers on Dec. 8, when he finished with two points and one assist in three minutes of action.

McGowens finished with 37 points (11-25 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 8-9 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block across 39 minutes in Monday's 112-109 G League loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors.

EDGE Analysis

The two-way guard delivered a game-high mark in points, though he struggled with efficiency from three-point range. Over his last five G League Tip-Off Tournament matchups, McGowens has averaged an impressive 33.6 points, 4.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds across 36.6 minutes per game. The 22-year-old has been stellar in the G League, though he has played only three minutes for the parent club in Portland thus far.

McGowens recorded 20 points (5-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 8-8 FT), two rebounds and two assists over 21 minutes during Monday's 97-95 Summer League win over the 76ers.

EDGE Analysis

McGowens put up a team-high 20 points and managed to get to the charity stripe with ease. The Nebraska product put pen to paper on a two-way contract Thursday and is seemingly eager to prove that he can handle rotation minutes, though he'll need to further distinguish himself amongst a crowded backcourt. Shaedon Sharpe (abdomen), Kris Murray, Rayan Rupert and Justin Minaya are also in the mix to secure backup guard minutes behind Anfernee Simons (knee).

McGowens agreed to a two-way contract with the Trail Blazers on Thursday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

McGowens spent the first two seasons of his career with the Hornets, but he was let go by Charlotte over the weekend. After performing well late in the California Classic Summer League for the Hornets, he will land a deal with the Trail Blazers that will allow him to move easily between the G League and parent club.

The Hornets waived McGowens on Saturday, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

McGowens spent the first two years of his career with the Hornets, and he averaged 5.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 16.0 minutes per game. The 21-year-old will enter free agency after starting in 14 of the Hornets' 59 games last season, during which he averaged 9.1 points and shot 46.7 percent from the field.

McGowens is in the starting lineup for Sunday's regular-season finale against Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

McGowens will log his first start since Feb. 4, with his previous 13 starts on the year yielding 8.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 47.4 percent shooting. The second-year guard will get another opportunity to showcase his athleticism and shot-making ability in Charlotte's 82nd game.

McGowens notched five points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt) and one rebound over eight minutes during Wednesday's 115-114 win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

McGowens has been on the fringes of the Hornets' rotation late in the year, but he was relatively efficient with his limited playing time Wednesday. Over his last seven appearances, he's averaged just 2.6 points in 6.0 minutes per game.