Here are numbers that don’t make sense.

The full availability of the $3.29 million in the bi-annual exception. 22 days until the New Orleans Pelicans first preseason game. 12 days until their media day. 8 players that are known quantities in terms of their ability to play professional basketball at a sufficient level. 0 players signed since Quincy Pondexter was traded on August 31st.

So, what is the hold-up? Signing Dante Cunningham seems almost ceremonial at this point with how bad the Pelicans need someone with size on the perimeter.

The Pels have his bird rights as well, which allows them to sign him without affecting their cap in a harmful way. If Dante Cunningham is trying to wait them out for more money, he will be waiting awhile. The Pelicans don’t have much room to negotiate, especially if they want to sign two players before the season begins.

They also worked out a few guys in these past 11 days, most of which would take the veteran’s minimum. The majority of these player’s salaries would only count $1.4 million against the cap while the NBA reimburses the team for the remaining portion if that player has played over two years in the NBA.

This is perfect for the Pelicans because they are around $4.7 million below the tax and $5.3 million below the hard cap. They would be able to comfortably sign say, Josh Smith to the veteran’s minimum bringing them to only $3.3 million below the tax while still having plenty of room to sign Cunningham to more than the minimum.

He could even get a raise from the $2.9 million he made last season.

They have space, with the team already working out and practicing together, they are running out of time.

It’s time for the New Orleans Pelicans to sign someone.