On the same day that NBL Next Star Josh Giddey declares for the NBA Draft we see another NBL next star officially make his way into the NBA.
The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has signed guard Didi Louzada to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.
#Pelicans officially sign @Didi to multi-year contract ⤵️ https://t.co/pInKAicpSr
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 27, 2021
The 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Louzada, played the past two seasons for the Sydney Kings and averaged 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over 45 games.
Selected with the 35th pick in the 2019 draft by Atlanta, Louzada’s draft rights were acquired by New Orleans along with draft rights to Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes, in exchange for the draft rights to De’Andre Hunter, Solomon Hill, and a future second-round draft pick on July 6, 2019.
The Brazilian native appeared in four games as a member of the Pelicans’ Summer League team in 2019, averaging 11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
Louzada will wear #0 for the Pelicans. New Orleans’ roster currently stands at 16 players. The decision to bring Louzada over comes at a time when the Pelicans’ wing depth has been decimated by injuries to Alexander-Walker (high ankle sprain) and Josh Hart (torn UCL in his right thumb) which will see both players sitting out games for at least a few more weeks.
New Orleans added James Nunnally on a 10-day contract to help with the depth there as well and released 2020 NBL Most Improved Player Will Magnay in order to do so.
Louzada played his final game for the Kings last week in a win over the Cairns Taipans on April 17th, which moved the Kings into fourth place on the ladder with 12 games remaining for the season.
“I got on very well in the city, by the team and the fans, all treated me with affection and respect. I am grateful to Paul Smith (team owner) for all that I have learned, for being a part of the organization, for everything I am living in Sydney, and for taking many good memories with me would go. I enjoyed every moment and I left many friends. These two years were important in my development and in my maturity as an individual and as a player. Today I am a more prepared player, more ready for the NBA” said Louzada after leaving the Sydney Kings.
He arrived in the United States on Sunday but the Pelicans have had to wait until April 27 to sign another player after letting Isaiah Thomas’ 10-day contract expire on Monday. With the Pelicans suffering a glut of injuries to their perimeter players and a focus on staying under the league salary cap to avoiding the luxury tax the Brazilian small forward fills both needs with his salary not counting towards the team’s salary cap due to him being a Pelicans draft pick.
Over his two years in Sydney, Louzada added nearly 40 pounds to his frame and was widely regarded as one of the NBL’s most reliable perimeter defenders.
Louzada’s move from the NBL to the NBA also continues a trend for the Kings, who have seen Andrew Bogut, Jae’Sean Tate and former head coach Will Weaver all land opportunities in the NBA after a season with the Sydney Kings.