By 808Hornetsfan

HornetsNews.com takes a look at the three very important free agents that could be leaving the Big Easy this July. With a key contributer already leaving the team, New Orleans will need to evaluate a few of their own free agents that could help them take the next step towards reaching the playoffs. We start off with veteran SG/SF Devin Brown.

2007 Season: 58 games, 49 starts, 11.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.6 apg

There is no doubt that Brown had a career year with Hornets this past season. Signed in mid-December, Devin was supposed to be a key reserve on the injury-depleted Hornets roster. After a few more injuries sidelined guards Chris Paul and Bobby Jackson for a while, Brown stepped in and played tremendously. He averaged 10, 6 and 3 a game during the month of December, and continued his success in January averaging 13, 4 and 3 a game.

Coach Scott was able to rotate Brown throughout the season, either putting him in the starting lineup or moving him to the bench. Brown was also a solid defender on the perimeter, keeping opposing players in check. It seemed as though there was not a thing that Devin could not do for the team in ’06-07, except maybe go head-to-head with LeBron. Even Brown’s FG percentages were solid, he shot 35% from beyond the 3-point line, and his total FG percentage for the year was 42%.

Brown becomes an unrestricted free agent now that his one-year deal has expired. With the SG position the team’s biggest problem, do the Hornets want to retain Brown for another season? His all-around consistency and production make him much more valuable, and yet he won’t cost as much to sign as other free agent wings such as Vince Carter, Gerald Wallace and Rashard Lewis. Not that Devin is in the same league of skill as those three, but he has played well enough to receive a long-term deal.

If the Hornets do intend to re-sign Brown, the immediate need for a SG becomes a little less important. Brown can succeed whether he’s in the starting lineup or if he’s coming off the bench. His presence will keep the Hornets fresh with playmakers that can do a lot more than just score. Peja Stojakovic’s return would be successful with a guy like Devin able to substitute for him. The other way to look at it is if the Hornets draft a scoring guard/wing with the 13th pick overall. Brown will be a great veteran for that rookie to learn from, as well as a good player to compete with for the starting job.

GM Jeff Bower has made a lot of smart decisions in the past, but this is one of those situations where you just can’t let this type of player walk away. With PG Jannero Pargo already opting out of his two-year deal, Coach Scott will need more depth behind Peja at SG, as well as a starter or reserve at SF. Devin Brown can do both of those things and not cost as much as signing a big-name FA. Bringing him back will also lock Bobby Jackson as a full-time PG rather than a combo guard.

In order for the Hornets to have a successful offseason, they need to do two things… 1.) They need to draft a young shooter that can hit shots from anywhere on the court, and be the team’s best offensive weapon for years to come… 2.) They need to bring back Devin Brown, there’s just no reason not to. I hope Hornets fans agree with me here, and I hope I am correct with my prediction.

Devin Brown: Hornet in 2007

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