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Former LSU standout signs with New Orleans Pelicans; ex-Alabama star waived
By Adam Spencer
Published:
A pair of former SEC stars were involved in an NBA transaction this week, with one getting signed by the New Orleans Pelicans and the other being waived.
The Pelicans announced on Monday that former LSU star guard Javonte Smart was signed, while ex-Alabama sharpshooter John Petty Jr. was waived:
The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has signed forward Kelan Martin and guard Javonte Smart. In a related move, the Pelicans have waived two-way forward John Butler and guard John Petty Jr. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.
Smart spent last season with a pair of Eastern Conference teams:
Smart, 6-4, 205, appeared in 17 games with Milwaukee and Miami during the 2021-22 season, averaging 3.0 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists. Undrafted in 2021, the Baton Rouge native played three seasons at LSU where he averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 93 games.
Petty spent last season with the Pelicans’ G-League team:
Petty Jr., 6-5, 184, appeared in 31 games for the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, in 2021-22 in which he averaged 8.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 26.2 minutes per game. Petty appeared in two games with the Pelicans in the 2022 preseason, averaging 1.0 rebound, 0.5 assists and 0.5 steals.
We’ll see if Smart can work his way into a bench role for the Pelicans this upcoming season. And, it’ll be interesting to see which team gives Petty his next pro shot.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
