Josh Smith couldn’t find an NBA contract and played last season in China. As of today, he’s back in the Association.
The Pelicans, desperate for frontcourt help due to injuries to Solomon Hill, Omer Asik, and Alexis Ajinca — not to mention guards Rajon Rondo and Frank Jackson) — signed Smith today with the hardship waiver they were granted by the league. Shams Charania of The Vertical at Yahoo Sports broke the news.
Sources: Veteran forward Josh Smith has received letter of clearance and is signing his contract with the Pelicans today.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 28, 2017
Marc Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated had more details.
The Pelicans ultimately confirmed it.
#Pelicans sign Josh Smith. #DoItBig https://t.co/K091pxkNAc
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 28, 2017
This is a non-guaranteed deal, the Pelicans are bumping up against the luxury tax so they are not going to spend more than they need to.
The signing of Josh Smith will cost New Orleans $13,156 per day. The Pelicans before the Smith signing were $1M below the luxury tax.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 28, 2017
Smith and Rajon Rondo were high school teammates who have always wanted to play together in the NBA. Now they finally may, if Rondo can get healthy.
Smith, 31, is really more of a four in today’s NBA. He thinks he has a quality jumper, but his last NBA season (split between the Clippers and Rockets) he shot just 27.1 percent from three (and took more than half his shots from beyond the arc). He’s not quick enough anymore to guard the three in the NBA.
But the Pelicans are desperate for help, so they are giving the veteran another chance.
