Free agent forward Josh Smith will sign with the New Orleans Pelicans under the injury hardship exception, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical. The Pelicans are allowed this roster exception since Smith's contract is non-guaranteed, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks.

Smith has been hoping for a return to the league after unsuccessful stints with the Detroit Pistons, the Houston Rockets, and most-recently the L.A. Clippers during the 2015-16 season. A 6-foot-9 forward with incredible athleticism, the once high-flying wing spent last season playing for Maccabi Haifa in Israel, hoping to draw enough eyes to warrant a return to the league.

A capable inside scorer and defensive player, Smith's biggest problem has been not being able to pace his game according to his strengths, proven to be an awful three-point shooter through his career at 28.5 percent.

Smith will come in as a replacement give the multitude of injuries that have plagued this Pelicans team early in the season, with the likes of Rajon Rondo, Frank Jackson, Anthony Davis, Solomon Hill, Alexis Ajinca, and Omer Asik on the shelf with their respective injuries.

New Orleans also faced a similar problem last season, resulting on the emergency signing of Lance Stephenson, who later suffered an injury and was dropped from the roster.