The New Orleans Pelicans made a pair of below-the-radar moves late Wednesday, reportedly re-signing Lance Thomas and picking up Arinze Onuaku on what essentially sounds like a training camp invite.
Pelicans add Lance Thomas and Arinze Onuaku, according to reports
The New Orleans Pelicans rounded out their roster by signing two players with NBA D-League experience.
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Thomas signed a two-year deal for the minimum, according to ESPN New York’s Jared Zwerling, but the second year is a team option. The 6’8 power forward averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds for the Pelicans last season, starting nine games after being plucked out of the NBA Development League prior to the 2011-12 season.
Onuaku’s deal is non-guaranteed this season and includes a team option for next season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The 6’9, 275-pound bruising big man averaged 12.6 points and 9.5 rebounds this past season for the D-League’s Canton Charge. He led the D-League in total rebound percentage by collecting 22.5 percent of the rebounds available while he was on the court.
It’s unlikely either player ever evolves past end of the bench fodder in the NBA, but Thomas has been renowned for doing the little things and Onuaku was an absolute load in the paint last year in the D-League. Considering New Orleans has invested very little in them, their moves on Wednesday have potential to be solid and won’t hurt them if the players don’t pan out.
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