Antonio Reeves signs 3-year deal with New Orleans Pelicans

Antonio Reeves can settle into his new home in New Orleans. The former Cat has agreed to a three-year, $5.41 million deal with the Pelicans, according to Hoops Hype’s Michael Scotto. The third year is a team option.

Reeves was selected by the Orlando Magic with the No. 47 pick in last month’s draft and traded to the Pelicans. He performed well in the NBA Summer League, averaging 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 22.2 minutes over five games, shooting 41.2% from the floor and 32% from three. The Pelicans lost all five games in Las Vegas, but Reeves was still able to show off his skills, putting up 18 points in the finale vs. Denver on Saturday.

At Kentucky, Reeves was one of the best scorers of the John Calipari era. Over two seasons, he averaged 17.2 points per game, totaling 164 threes on 42.2% from behind the arc. Last season, he was Kentucky’s leading scorer with 20.2 points per game on a career-best 51.2% from the floor and 44.7% from the outside. He made the top five for the Jerry West Award and was a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award.

Last month, Pelicans General Manager Bryson Graham said he’d had his eye on Reeves for a while, going back to his time at Illinois State.

“Antonio was a big-time shooter, playmaker,” Graham said, via Nola.com. “I saw him actually — I was telling him when we were walking in — I saw him play his first game at Illinois State when he was playing in the Missouri Valley tournament.

“He transferred to Kentucky. He did two years there. His growth there each and every year, you saw it. This past year, shooting 45% from 3. Close to six attempts per game. He’s a marksman. He’s going to fit very, very well here.”

Congrats, Reeves. Celebrate with some beignets.