WEDNESDAY, 5:20pm: The signing is official, the team announced in a press release.
TUESDAY, 9:10pm: The Pelicans intend to ink point guard Tim Frazier to a 10-day deal, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link). New Orleans currently has 16 players on its roster, including Orlando Johnson, who was signed to a 10-day deal after the Pelicans were granted an extra roster spot via the hardship provision. According to Stein (ESPN Now link), the franchise was granted a 17th slot to accommodate the addition of Frazier.
In order for a team to be granted an extra roster spot, it must have three players who have missed at least three straight games because of injury or illness, plus a fourth player who is also unable to perform. The Pelicans have been pummeled by injuries this season and certainly fit the prerequisite. New Orleans is currently without Eric Gordon, Bryce Dejean-Jones, Tyreke Evans and Quincy Pondexter, all of whom are out for the remainder of the campaign. Adding to the team’s woes, center Alexis Ajinca is expected to be out until the end of this month and Norris Cole is day to day with back issues.
Frazier, 25, saw just 7.8 minutes per game in 35 appearances for the Blazers this season, averaging 1.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists to accompany a slash line of .333/.176/.533. The playmaker rejoined the D-League affiliate of the Celtics last week after clearing waivers from the Trail Blazers, who cut him to accommodate their deadline-day trades.