New Orleans Hornets NBA News - Hornets Basketball Blog http://www.hornetslocker.com New Orleans Hornets Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:39:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 en The New Orleans Hornets acquire Marco Belinelli from the Raptors http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-marco-belinelli-from-the-raptors/ http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-marco-belinelli-from-the-raptors/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:39:12 +0000 alleyoop http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-marco-belinelli-from-the-raptors/ The Hornets have acquired 24-year old shooting guard Marco Belinelli from the Raptors for 23-year old forward Julian Wright. Belinelli played in 66 games (1 start) for the Raptors last season and he averaged 17.0 minutes, 7.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He has now played in 141 games (24 starts) in his three years in the NBA and he has averaged 15.9 minutes, 6.6 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Belinelli has shot 38.8% from three point range so far in his NBA career so he will bring offense off the bench for the Hornets in 2010-11. Julian Wright has been a huge disappointment for the Hornets. He played in 68 games (14 starts) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 12.8 minutes, 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Wright played in 179 games (34 starts) in his three years with the Hornets and he averaged 12.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. I like this deal for the Hornets as Wright has been a huge bust for them.

]]> http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-marco-belinelli-from-the-raptors/feed/ The New Orleans Hornets acquire Trevor Ariza in a big four team trade http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-trevor-ariza-in-a-big-four-team-trade/ http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-trevor-ariza-in-a-big-four-team-trade/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:34:37 +0000 alleyoop http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-trevor-ariza-in-a-big-four-team-trade/ The Hornets have acquired 25-year old SG/SF Trevor Ariza from the Rockets and they have sent 22-year old point guard Darren Collison and 33-year old small forward James Posey to the Pacers. The Nets have acquired power forward Troy Murphy from the Pacers and the Rockets have acquired SG/SF Courtney Lee to finish out this deal. Ariza played in 72 games (71 starts) for the Rockets last season and he averaged 36.5 minutes, 14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. He has now played in 383 games (123 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 23.1 minutes, 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Ariza will compete with Marcus Thornton at SG and Peja Stojakovic at SF. I see him starting for the Hornets in 2010. The price was high though as Darren Collison is a outstanding player. He played in 76 games (37 starts) for the Hornets as a rookie last season and he averaged 27.8 minutes, 12.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Posey played in 77 games (2 starts) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 22.5 minutes, 5.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He played in 152 games (2 starts) in his two years with the Hornets and he averaged 25.5 minutes, 7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. This deal probably will make Chris Paul happy as Collison wasn’t going to play much for the Hornets in 2010-11 while Ariza will give them another finisher in the fast break.

]]> http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/08/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-trevor-ariza-in-a-big-four-team-trade/feed/ The New Orleans Hornets re-sign Aaron Gray http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/07/12/the-new-orleans-hornets-re-sign-aaron-gray/ http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/07/12/the-new-orleans-hornets-re-sign-aaron-gray/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:07:21 +0000 alleyoop http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/07/12/the-new-orleans-hornets-re-sign-aaron-gray/ The Hornets have re-signed 25-year old center Aaron Gray to a 2-year deal. Gray played in 24 games (0 starts) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 10.9 minutes, 3.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. He has now played in 149 games (19 starts) in his three years in the NBA and he is averaging 11.0 minutes, 3.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. This was a solid move for the Hornets as I’m sure they didn’t have to break the bank to bring Gray back.

]]> http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/07/12/the-new-orleans-hornets-re-sign-aaron-gray/feed/ The New Orleans Hornets sign Luther Head http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/07/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-sign-luther-head/ http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/07/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-sign-luther-head/#comments Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:20:13 +0000 alleyoop http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/07/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-sign-luther-head/ The Hornets have signed 27-year old shooting guard Luther Head to a 2-year, $2.3 million dollar deal. Head played in 47 games (10 starts) for the Pacers last season and he averaged 17.3 minutes, 7.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He has now played in 312 games (68 starts) in his five years in the NBA and he has averaged 23.1 minutes, 8.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. This was a outstanding signing for the Hornets as Head will bring instant offense off the bench for them in the next couple of years.

UPDATE: The Hornets have rescinded their offer to Luther Head due to physical reasons.

]]> http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/07/11/the-new-orleans-hornets-sign-luther-head/feed/ I wonder which direction the New Orleans Hornets are heading in? http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/30/i-wonder-which-direction-the-new-orleans-hornets-are-heading-in/ http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/30/i-wonder-which-direction-the-new-orleans-hornets-are-heading-in/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:52:03 +0000 alleyoop http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/30/i-wonder-which-direction-the-new-orleans-hornets-are-heading-in/ On one hand the Hornets say that they will not trade Chris Paul. On the other hand they say they would trade Paul as long as the other team takes back center Emeka Okafor too. It’s no mystery that the owner of the Hornets is in financial trouble and that could lead to them trading some veterans. Darren Collison did step up last season while Paul was injured but it’s quite another animal to replace him forever. I did think the Hornets pulled off a good trade on draft day when they moved center Cole Aldrich and veteran forward Morris Peterson to the Thunder for rookie forwards Craig Brackins and Quincy Pondexter who both have nice upsides. It will be interesting to see if the Hornets can pare payroll while still competing. It’s a fine line to walk.

]]> http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/30/i-wonder-which-direction-the-new-orleans-hornets-are-heading-in/feed/ Peja Stojakovic opts in for the New Orleans Hornets http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/29/peja-stojakovic-opts-in-for-the-new-orleans-hornets/ http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/29/peja-stojakovic-opts-in-for-the-new-orleans-hornets/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:01:09 +0000 alleyoop http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/29/peja-stojakovic-opts-in-for-the-new-orleans-hornets/ 33-year old small forward Peja Stojakovic is opting in for the 2010-11 season for the New Orleans Hornets. He would have been insane to opt out as he is due to make $15.34 million bucks this season. Stojakovic’s play slipped a little bit last season for the Hornets. He played in 62 games (55 starts) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 31.4 minutes, 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Stojakovic has now played in 212 games (204 starts) in his four years with the Hornets and he has averaged 33.8 minutes, 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. The Hornets hope Stojakovic has something left seeing how they are on the hook to him for big bucks.

]]> http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/29/peja-stojakovic-opts-in-for-the-new-orleans-hornets/feed/ The New Orleans Hornets acquire two players to complete the Cole Aldrich trade with the Thunder http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/24/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-two-players-to-complete-the-cole-aldrich-trade-with-the-thunder/ http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/24/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-two-players-to-complete-the-cole-aldrich-trade-with-the-thunder/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:11:05 +0000 alleyoop http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/24/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-two-players-to-complete-the-cole-aldrich-trade-with-the-thunder/ The Hornets have acquired PF/SF Craig Brackins (#21 overall) and SG Quincy Pondexter (#26 overall) to complete the Cole Aldrich/Morris Peterson trade with the Thunder. Brackins is a big guy at 6′10″, 230 pounds but he will need to play tougher in the NBA. Brackins played in 32 games (all starts) last season at Iowa State and he averaged 16.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game. He played in 96 games (95 starts) in his three years in college and he averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game. Quincy Pondexter played in 36 games (all starts) last season at Washington and he averaged 19.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He finished up in college having played in 136 games (102 starts) in which he averaged 13.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. The Hornets have a good track record in the draft so this could turn out to be a outstanding trade for them. Only time will tell.

]]> http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/24/the-new-orleans-hornets-acquire-two-players-to-complete-the-cole-aldrich-trade-with-the-thunder/feed/ The New Orleans Hornets draft Cole Aldrich and then trade him to the Thunder http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/24/the-new-orleans-hornets-draft-cole-aldrich-and-then-trade-him-to-the-thunder/ http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/24/the-new-orleans-hornets-draft-cole-aldrich-and-then-trade-him-to-the-thunder/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 00:58:52 +0000 alleyoop http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/24/the-new-orleans-hornets-draft-cole-aldrich-and-then-trade-him-to-the-thunder/ The Hornets picked center Cole Aldrich out of Kansas with the 11th overall pick and then they traded him along with 32-year old small forward Morris Peterson to the Thunder for the 21st and 26th overall picks in the NBA Draft. Peterson played in 46 games (39 starts) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 21.2 minutes, 7.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. In his three years with the Hornets, Peterson played in 165 games (124 starts) in which he averaged 19.9 minutes, 6.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. This was little more than a salary dump move for the Hornets as Aldrich and Peterson will make a lot more money in 2010-11 than whoever the Hornets use their two first round picks on.

]]> http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/24/the-new-orleans-hornets-draft-cole-aldrich-and-then-trade-him-to-the-thunder/feed/ Darius Songaila exercises his player option to stay with the New Orleans Hornets http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/23/darius-songaila-exercises-his-player-option-to-stay-with-the-new-orleans-hornets/ http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/23/darius-songaila-exercises-his-player-option-to-stay-with-the-new-orleans-hornets/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:59:07 +0000 alleyoop http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/23/darius-songaila-exercises-his-player-option-to-stay-with-the-new-orleans-hornets/ 32-year old PF Darius Songaila has exercised his player option for the 2010-11 season allowing him to return to the Hornets. Songaila played in 75 games (1 start) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 18.8 minutes, 7.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. He has now played in 485 games (79 starts) in his seven years in the NBA and he is averaging 18.9 minutes, 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The Hornets probably could have used the money elsewhere but Songaila is a decent backup forward.

]]> http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/23/darius-songaila-exercises-his-player-option-to-stay-with-the-new-orleans-hornets/feed/ The New Orleans Hornets could make a huge splash tomorrow night http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/23/the-new-orleans-hornets-could-make-a-huge-splash-tomorrow-night/ http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/23/the-new-orleans-hornets-could-make-a-huge-splash-tomorrow-night/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:55:51 +0000 alleyoop http://www.hornetslocker.com/2010/06/23/the-new-orleans-hornets-could-make-a-huge-splash-tomorrow-night/ The New Orleans Hornets have the #11 pick in tomorrow night’s NBA Draft. They should be looking at getting either a SF or a SG with Marcus Thornton playing the other spot. But rumors abound that the Hornets are in financial trouble which could cause them to trade Chris Paul as early as tomorrow night. If he is truly available teams will be lining up to make the Hornets offers involving both picks and players. The Hornets could also demand that the team getting Paul takes back a Morris Peterson or James Posey to clear more cash off the books. It will be a interesting night to be a Hornets’ fan tomorrow.

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