New Orleans Pelicans Sign Dante Cunningham

The New Orleans Pelicans signed power forward/small forward Dante Cunningham today.

"It's been a great opportunity to get here and be a part of this great organization," said Cunningham on pelicans.com.

Cunningham, 27, was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2009. Pelicans head coach Monty Williams was an assistant on Portland's staff Cunningham's rookie year. Cunningham has credited Williams for helping mold him as an NBA player.

"He's got great energy for the game," said Williams. "He's a unique player who can do a number of things on the floor...we added a guy who plays hard every night."

Cunningham spent two years in Portland, before briefly playing for Charlotte in 2011, then was traded to Memphis. He inked a 2 year deal with Minnesota in 2012, a contract that expired at the duration of last season.

He was recently in the news for an off court domestic issue. He was arrested last April for allegedly choking his girlfriend. After an investigation, it was determined Cunningham's girlfriend at the time had fabricated the accusation, and all charges were dropped.

His agent has tirelessly worked to clear Cunningham's name in the public, believing that his lack of a contract offer last summer was a direct result of last April's arrest.

"It's been a rough couple of months," said Cunningham. "Being back where I love to be and love to play is a weight off my shoulders."

Cunningham will wear #44 for New Orleans, and is available to play tonight against the Golden State Warriors.