With just five players currently under contract, New Orleans Hornets General Manager Dell Demps is expected to busy when the free agency period begins on Dec. 9.

Will he be able to re-sign David West or Carl Landry or land one of the top available free agents like Tyson Chandler or Marc Gasol?

Those are the questions that awaits the franchise now after the league and players  tentatively reached an agreement this past Saturday to a new labor deal, ending the 149-day lockout.

By having the sixth-lowest payroll in the league, the Hornets are not likely to be hampered by financial restraints.

HERE ARE SIX FREE AGENTS THE HORNETS MAY PURSUE.

1. David West, power forward, 6 feet 9, 240 pounds, 18.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, Unrestricted.

The Hornets are the only team that can offer him a five-year deal. However, several teams are likely to pursue West, who underwent reconstructive knee surgery in April to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. West is considered to be the top available power forward in free agency and the Indiana Pacers are expected to make the biggest toward signing him.

2. Carl Landry, power forward, 6-9, 248, 11.8 points, 4.8 rebound, unrestricted.

The Hornets have a better chance of re-signing Landry than they do West. The Hornets acquired Landry in a mid-season trade with the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guard Marcus Thornton. In the Hornets’ first-round elimination by the Lakers last spring, Landry averaged 15.8 points in the six-game series.

3. Willie Green, shooting guard, 6-3, 201, 8.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, unrestricted.

Green was a favorite of Coach Monty Williams because of his defensive play and ability to make timely shots. He will draw attention from some teams, but likely to return to Hornets.

4. Tyson Chandler, center, 7-1, 235, 10.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, unrestricted.

If the Hornets acquire Chandler, it would be vital in convincing Chris Paul to stay after this season instead of opting out. But New Orleans is a long-shot because Chandler has not forgiven the franchise for trading him in 2009 when it appeared he had a career-threatening foot injury. Chandler is expected to re-sign with the defending NBA champion Mavericks.

5. Marco Belinelli, shooting guard, 6-5, 200, 10.4 points, 1.1 assists, restricted.

The Hornets made a $3.37 million qualifying offer to Belinelli in June, making him a restricted free agent. If Belinelli signs an offer sheet with another team under the new labor agreement, the Hornets would have only three days to match it. In the previous labor deal, they had seven days to match.

6. Glen Davis, power forward  6-9, 289, 11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, unrestricted.

He could be an option if the Hornets cannot re-sign West or Landry. In four seasons with the Celtics, Davis averaged 11.7 points and 5.4 rebounds.

Here are some of the league’s top free agents:

Marc Gasol, Memphis, center, restricted.

Jason Richardson, Orlando, shooting guard, unrestricted.

Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia, small forward, restricted.

DeAndre Jordan, L.A.Clippers, center, restricted.

Jamal Crawford, Atlanta, shooting guard, unrestricted.

Shane Battier, Memphis, small forward, unrestricted.

Samuel Dalembert, Sacramento, center, unrestricted.

Marcus Thornton, Sacramento, shooting guard, unrestricted.

Tayshaun Prince, Detroit, small forward, unrestricted.

The New Orleans Hornets do not have a first-round pick in next month’s draft, but General Manager Dell Demps and his staff are in East Rutherford, N.J., today to evaluate 50 draft prospects.

The Hornets’ lone draft pick will be in the second-round (45th). Regardless, Demps went to the University of Kentucky’s pro day to evaluate prospects last week and they are expected to attend the predraft combine in Chicago on May 18-22.

“Right now it’s a little bit easier to go out and watch than bringing guys in, especially with us not having a first-round pick,’’ Demps said. “That’s the kind of approach we’re taking right now.

“Once it gets to June, if we get to a point where we really want to bring in some guys to look at, we’ll do that. But when we go to these events, we can interview and talk to them. It’s just like them coming here.’’

Sunday is the deadline for underclassmen to withdraw from the draft.

In response to John DeShazier’s column on New Orleans Hornets General Manager Dell Demps, nola.com reader lanative wrote:

“I think Demps is showing great leadership by trying to get DWest’s contract signed and to work on an extension for CP3. I believe we are several pieces away and with the emergence of the Grizzlies and Thunder and the decline of the Lakers and Spurs – the Hornets are IMO just a few major pieces away.”