Russ Smith extended a guaranteed contract by Pelicans, Pitino says

Rookie Russ Smith has been extended a guaranteed contract by the Pelicans, according to his coach at Louisville, Rick Pitino.

Russ Smith has been selected in the 2014 NBA draft by the 76ers and then traded to the Pelicans for draft rights of Pierre Jackson.

Per NOLA, In an audio recording posted on the University of Louisville's official athletic website, Cardinals coach Rick Pitino said Smith has a guaranteed contract committed from the Pelicans. ''Today we are extremely happy because he has a guaranteed contract committed, which is awesome,'' Pitino said. ''So I couldn't be anymore pleased for this young man right now. It only takes at the NBA level one team to believe in you. We were always convinced that Russ Smith would be an outstanding pro because he can do so many different things.''
The Pelicans have not confirmed yet if Smith has been extended a guaranteed contract. But Smith's father, Russ Smith Sr., told the Louisville Courier Journal  Wednesday that his son agreed to a two-year deal with an option for a third year.