Sixers point guard Ish Smith drives around Cavs' Kyrie Irving. (Photo : Getty Images)
With the New Orleans Pelicans' current injury problems in their backcourt lineup, management decided to sign undrafted free agent Ish Smith, who was recently waived by the Washington Wizards, on Monday that earned him the team's 15th and final roster spot.
The amount of the deal was undisclosed, but ESPN reported that it will only be "fully guaranteed until January 10th", which means that the 27-year-old journeyman may or may not stay with the Pelicans once some of their injured players return from their respective setbacks.
New Orleans will miss shooting guard Tyreke Evans for about six to eight weeks after he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee while their backup point guard, Norris Cole, is also out with a high ankle sprain suffered in preseason game two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, starting point guard Jrue Holiday is still under a playing time restriction as his right tibia stress fracture has not completely healed yet. Head coach Alvin Gentry and his staff have agreed to play him for only 15 to 17 minutes per game which Holiday have agreed.
With those setbacks, only shooting guard Eric Gordon is healthy in the Pelicans' backcourt before the team acquired veteran journeyman and three-time slam dunk champion Nate Robinson to a one-year contract last week, as reported by NBC Sports' Pro Basketball Talk.
Smith played 25 games for the Philadelphia 76ers last season and started 14, averaging solid numbers of 12.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game in 27.1 minutes a night. He could definitely contribute to Anthony Davis and the gang while they wait for the rest of the crew to heal up.
If the former Wake Forest standout could prove himself to coach Gentry in the regular season, then maybe he could be a permanent part of the team in the future.
