Source: Injury-plagued Pelicans reach deal with veteran Josh Smith

— -- The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a deal with free-agent forward Josh Smith, a source told ESPN's Bobby Marks.

The Pelicans will add Smith after being granted an extra roster spot via the injury-hardship exception. New Orleans (1-3) qualified for the exception because four players have missed at least three consecutive games.

A 12-year veteran, Smith last played in the NBA in the 2015-16 season, splitting his time between the Houston Rockets and LA Clippers.

The Vertical first reported news of the deal.

The move comes a day after star Anthony Davis left the team's loss in Portland with a knee injury in the first quarter. An MRI taken Tuesday night on the knee came back negative.

New Orleans already has several players out for extended periods, including forward Solomon Hill (lost for season), centers Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca, and guard Rajon Rondo.

Smith, 31, has averaged 14.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for his career. He spent his most productive years with the Atlanta Hawks, averaging?15.3 points, 8 rebounds and?2.1 blocks in nine seasons.