Forward Shavlik Randolph has been informed by Blazers officials that he will not be signed to a second 10 day contract due to the return of Rudy Fernandez and the expected return of Nicolas Batum, a league source told Blazersedge today.
The return of both players will eliminate both of the Blazers' hardship exemptions and will eliminate their ability to sign any additional players, as their roster stands at the NBA's maximum of 15. The hardship exemptions had been temporary extra roster spots granted by the NBA after a string of injuries decimated the Blazers roster in December.
Randolph was originally signed to a non-guaranteed contract using a hardship exemption in December, was waived before the contract guarantee deadline and was then re-signed to a 10 day contract on a hardship exemption after he cleared waivers and the contract guarantee deadline passed. Randolph could have been signed to a second 10 day contract but due to league rules governing hardship exemptions would have been forced to be released as soon as the Blazers were ready to activate Nicolas Batum.
Batum is travelling with the team on its upcoming road trip but isn't expected to play. His current target date for a return to game action is January 25th, a home game against the New Orleans Hornets.
Randolph appeared in three games as a Blazer, averaging 1.3 points, .3 rebounds and .3 assists in 2 minutes per game.
-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter