2:48pm CST: The Pelicans officially announced the signing via Twitter (link).
12:07pm CST: The Pelicans are expected to give shooting guard Hollis Thompson a second 10-day contract when his first deal expires today, according to John Reid of The Times-Picayune.
Thompson is in the starting lineup for tonight’s game with the Lakers, so it’s reasonable to think that New Orleans plans to keep him around for a while. The Pelicans are short on wing players after shipping Tyreke Evans, Buddy Hield and Langston Galloway to the Kings in the DeMarcus Cousins trade.
They signed Thompson on February 23rd to help fill the void. He has appeared in five games since then, starting four, with averages of 4.6 points and 3.0 assists.
”I think he’s solid and we like our rotation with E’Twaun Moore coming off the bench because we have the ability to, if a guy got in quick foul trouble or something like that,” said Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry. ”We stuck Hollis out there to see if he would be OK. I think he’s been a pleasant surprise, really … moreso on the defense end, just being able to get to the right spot and things like that.”
Thompson started the season with the Sixers and played 31 games, but was released in early January before his salary became fully guaranteed. When his second 10-day contract with New Orleans expires, the Pelicans will have to either waive him or sign him for the remainder of the season.
They dropped the ball on taking Reggie williams over Quinn cook. Cool has looked pretty good for the Mavs, and would have been a good addition for new orleans…also, I disagree with Alvin Gentry on this one, until they get another wing shooter. I’d try using Solomon Hill off the bench, and starting Holiday, Moore, Thompson, Davis, and Cousins. That might space the floor a little better, while adding another playmaker into that unit, and they can rotate with Hill and Frazier off the bench
No I think Solomon should start for the defense and he could hit the 3. And Moore is a good shooter off the bench. That’s good so they don’t lose a lot when Davis or cousins come out and only one is in.