New Orleans Pelicans: 30 greatest players in franchise history
player. 69. . PF/C. (2010-14, 2019). Jason Smith. 29
Back during the early days as the Hornets, Jason Smith was once a player well on his way to a solid career before injuries derailed all that. Smith was traded to the Hornets during the 2010 NBA offseason with Willie Green for Darius Songalia and Craig Brackins.
He averaged 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per contest across 77 appearances (six starts) during his first season with the Hornets. In one of his six starts, he scored a then career-high 20 points against the Washington Wizards on Feb. 1, 2011, in a 97-89 victory.
Smith signed a three-year deal worth $7.5 million the following season and went on to produce a career-high 26 points on April 7, 2012, in a 99-90 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
During the lockout-shortened season, the first of a slew of injuries came about for Smith. He suffered a concussion on Feb. 4, 2012 against the Detroit Pistons, causing him to miss 26 games, though he was able to come back and put up career numbers.
A torn right labrum injury in 2012-13 caused him to miss 31 games, as he had to have surgery to repair it. Smith produced 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game across 51 appearances off the bench that season.
In 2013-14, following their name change to the Pelicans, Smith was limited by injury once again. He appeared in just 31 games during his final season with the Pelicans due to a season-ending knee injury.
He was averaging a career-best 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game before being sidelined with his injury. That following season, Smith joined the New York Knicks as a free agent.