After playing last season for the Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball League, veteran forward Josh Smith will reportedly return to the NBA. According to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, the 31-year-old Smith will sign with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Free agent forward Josh Smith plans to sign with New Orleans under an injury hardship exception, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 25, 2017
New Orleans finds itself in a questionable situation with injuries at this early point in the season. Guard Rajon Rondo is currently out with a sports hernia injury. Alexis Ajinca is out for the next three-to-five weeks. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis tweaked his knee on Tuesday.
Smith last played in the NBA for the Houston Rockets back in 2015-16. That season saw the former first-round pick average a career low 6.0 points in between Houston and the Los Angeles Clippers.
It remains to be seen what type of an impact Smith will have for New Orleans. Though, the expectations here can’t be incredibly high.