"While they anxiously await the season debut of one of their international players, the Utah Jazz will welcome back another European big man to their bench.

It's also possible another player not originally from the Continental 48 — U.S. Virgin Islands native Raja Bell — could rejoin the Jazz on the court tonight against the Hornets.

Francisco Elson reunited with the Jazz on Thursday in the Big Easy and will be available to play — yes, legally — after the Netherlands' native spent a few days in Canada to resolve issues with his work visa.

On Monday, the 7-foot center left the team and country to process paperwork in Canada. He then was required to stay out of the U.S. for a mandatory 48-hour period before re-entering, which he did Thursday in time to beat the Jazz to Louisiana.

Bell, meanwhile, practiced with the Jazz on Thursday and remains hopeful that he will be able to play tonight after missing the past three games with a groin injury (strained right adductor).

The 34-year-old shooting guard is officially a gametime decision.

"My mind's set on playing (tonight)," Bell said. "That's how I'm treating it."

Coming into Thursday's practice, Bell had only been running forward without making side-to-side movements a week after retweaking his injury.

But the usual starting shooting guard said improvement is happening."