AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – For the first time in 2014-15, New Orleans (18-19) will be without its starting point guard, Jrue Holiday, who is sidelined by right ankle inflammation and won’t play Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons. Partly as a result of Holiday’s injury, the Pelicans signed another point guard this morning, Nate Wolters, to increase the team’s depth at the position.
Wolters, who played a season-plus for Milwaukee and was waived by the Bucks on Jan. 7, will be available to play against the Pistons. He is on a 10-day contract.
“We obviously are trying to get more bodies with Jrue suffering a little bit,” Pelicans fifth-year coach Monty Williams said of the addition. “Nate’s a guy we liked in Milwaukee. At the same time, we have a number of guards who can go out and get the job done.”
“It’s a good young team. The guys seem great,” Wolters said after his first shootaround with the Pelicans. “It’s my first day here, so I don’t know too much, but it seems like a good atmosphere, so I’m excited.
“I’m a point guard who likes to share the ball, doesn’t turn it over or make too many mistakes. Hopefully I can bring some experience at the point-guard position.”
Williams described Wolters as a player the Pelicans were impressed with in 2013-14, when the South Dakota State product was one of the NBA’s better rookies. The 38th overall pick from the 2013 draft finished 16th in All-Rookie team voting.
“He’s got a nice command of the ball, can get to the basket,” Williams said. “Dell (Demps) said something about (Wolters) shooting 55 percent from three the last month of the season. He’s a capable shooter, even though his numbers don’t look as great. He shot it well in college. I liked his toughness. I thought he was a lot like (Cleveland point guard Matthew) Dellavedova, with a better handle. He’s a good passer and is a guy who can really set guys up. We’re glad to have him.”
Wolters: “Anytime you get on a new team, you want to give a good impression right away. I don’t know what my role will be, but we’ll see what happens. I’m just going to do my best to work hard and help the team win some games.”
Other notes from Wednesday’s shootaround:
- Williams indicated that newcomer small forward Quincy Pondexter will immediately be part of the rotation. Williams: “Quincy’s a guy who can guard three positions. He’s shown the ability to knock down shots, plays hard and brings great intensity. Being able to put him on different scorers is first and foremost. Offensively, he’ll pick up our stuff as we go along. His defensive energy is going to help us.”