Pelicans' Pondexter undergoes successful knee surgery to repair cartilage

The offseason is a time for rest, recovery, refinement and, unfortunately, restoration as required.

It's little surprise when a player goes under the knife immediately following the season, allowing for maximum recovery time before next year. That's what New Orleans Pelicans forward Quincy Pondexter did Wednesday, getting arthroscopic surgery performed on his left knee.

On Thursday, the Pelicans released further details, saying the procedure was to repair a cartilage injury.

There's no firm timetable for Pondexter's return to basketball activities, but it's believed he'll be back with ample time to gear up for the 2015-16 campaign. Arthroscopic knee surgeries are generally accompanied by a four-to-six-week recovery time, assuming no complications or the discovery of further injury during cleanup.

Acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in January as part of the three-team Jeff Green trade, Pondexter averaged nine points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 27.8 minutes with the Pelicans. 

The 45-game stretch represents the best - and most - he's played in his five-year career, an encouraging sign for a Pelicans team that may not have a ton of flexibility to add pieces in the offseason despite numerous players hitting free agency.

The 27-year-old Pondexter has three years and $10.9 million remaining on the four-year deal the Grizzlies signed him to last offseason. An adequate defender with a 36.5-percent career mark from long range, Pondexter figures to be a solid backup small forward for the Pelicans next season.