Dante Cunningham to Pelicans: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction
 

http://blackandgold.com/images/pixel.gifThe New Orleans Pelicans are taking steps to reshape their roster following an 8-8 start to the 2014 NBA season. The team's latest move is the signing of forward Dante Cunningham.

According to a tweet from the Pelicans public relations staff, terms of Cunningham's deal with New Orleans weren't disclosed:

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Marc Stein of ESPN is reporting that Cunningham's pact with the Pelicans is for one year at the league minimum:

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The 27-year-old Cunningham has been in limbo after being arrested in April on domestic assault charges, via Mike Durkin of My Fox Twin Cities.

However, those charges were dropped in August, with Hennepin County prosecutors releasing a statement saying, "There is not proof beyond a reasonable doubt for the charged offense," via Dan Devine of Yahoo Sports.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Cunningham is unlikely to face any disciplinary action from the NBA since those charges were dropped:

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Cunningham has been linked to the Pelicans for a few days before the signing was announced. John Reid of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported the veteran forward worked out for the team on Monday, though head coach Monty Williams wasn't playing his hand at the time.

''We’re looking at a number of options,’’ Williams said. ''We’ve had a few guys playing in that spot (small forward) like I said the other day, I don’t want to change from game to game. But I will if I feel like it will help our team.''

The Pelicans waived Darius Miller and Patric Young on Nov. 30, opening up roster spots that the team needed to fill. Cunningham has been a solid bench player throughout his career, most recently averaging 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds per game with Minnesota last season.

Cunningham is young enough with a strong track record of success to make a difference for a Pelicans team that's fighting an uphill battle to get into playoff contention. The Western Conference is loaded with 11 teams currently at .500 or better, so finding a piece like this could be a boost for a young team trending in the right direction.



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