Vanderbilt G Derrick Byars had fallen all the way down to the second round of tonight’s draft, but the Hornets decided not to trade up, and instead selected Iowa G Adam Haluska with the 43rd pick overall after Byars had been taken just one pick earlier. Haluska averaged 20.5 ppg last season at Iowa, and shot 40% from the field. In three years at Iowa, Haluska has started 98 games and averaged a total of 16.1 ppg.

‘04-05 Season: 33 games, 33 starts, 14.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, .47% FG, .389% 3PT
‘05-06 Season: 34 games, 34 starts, 13.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, .41% FG, .346% 3PT
‘06-07 Season: 31 games, 31 starts, 20.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, .40% FG, .363% 3PT

Many thought that the Hornets would take either Nick or Thaddeus Young at #13, but GM Jeff Bower made a great decision by taking Kansas F Julian Wright with the team’s first round selection. Wright is highly regarded as a player that can do it all at his position, and head coach Byron Scott will look forward to developing Wright into an exceptional NBA starter.

‘05-06 Season: 33 games, 15 starts, 8.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.3 bpg, .56 FG%
‘06-07 Season: 38 games, 37 starts, 12.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.3 bpg, .54 FG%

1. POR- C Greg Oden- Should be a given; the Blazers don’t have a major need in the post but he obviously has the potential to be better than all of their current players down low. If Kevin Prichard passes up on this pick and go for Kevin Durant, they would be making a huge mistake.

2. SEA- F Kevin Durant- Seattle could really use Greg Oden but I don’t think that the Blazers will drop the ball and take Durant. For Seattle, KD can provide insurance in case Rashard Lewis departs and would essentially be the future at the small forward position for them. He doesn’t fill a need, but he will obviously be the BPA here and they could invest on a big man or a guard in the second round.

3. ATL- PF/C Al Horford- Word on the street is that Acie Law has gotten a promise from Atlanta at 11, so it looks like they won’t bother to take Mike Conley here. The Hawks could certainly use an NBA-ready big man like Al Horford (to stay away from their potential-based draft practices for once) who might as well be their starting center in a lineup next to Shelden Williams next season.

4. MEM- PG Mike Conley- Memphis might be the place where this guy ends up. Although the Grizzlies drafted Kyle Lowry last season to be their point guard, he wasn’t able to play for most of the season due to injury, hindering his maturation process as an NBA player. If they don’t feel confident they can secure Maurice Williams in free agency, they should go with this pick.

5. BOS- F Yi Jianlian- Lets face it- after their late-season failures, Boston needs to win now. But don’t expect that fact to influence Danny Ainge’s decision on draft day. Indications are showing that he likes Yi and Doc Rivers likes Jeff Green, both of whom will probably be available here. If Ainge wins, they go with Yi and the Celtics go by the wayside for another season. If Rivers gets what he wants, they take Green and anticipate making the playoffs next year. Let’s see how this unfolds.

6. MIL- F Jeff Green- Milwaukee can use a Jeff Green-type player to fill out the wing position for them, as Ruben Patterson is inadequate and Bobby Simmons has been a disappointment for them so far. Green’s under-control style will fit right in with their offense next season.

7. MIN- G/F Corey Brewer- The T’Wolves desperately need a solid wing player in their offense and right now they cannot afford to look for potential. Brewer will give them a defensive presence in the backcourt and at the 3 and should develop into a solid offensive player later on.

8. CHA- PF Joakim Noah- Why not? Charlotte could use an athletic big man to help jumpstart their young lineup, and can really do well off the bench as an energizing force. They could go with Brandan Wright here, but his stock is dropping and Charlotte needs somebody that can make an impact now more than later.

9. CHI- C Spencer Hawes- Chicago is looking for a big man to fill P.J. Brown’s shoes and to recreate depth in the post. Hawes is probably the most skilled center offensively next to Greg Oden; he has soft hands, excellent passing skills, and a jumper out to 18 feet. Hawes will give them that low post scorer that can only compliment Ben Wallace and still allow Tyrus Thomas to grow at the 4.

10. SAC- PF Brandan Wright- Wright’s stock has been falling steadily, so don’t be surprised if he ends up in the early teens. If Sacramento has this opportunity, they should take it to fill out the power forward position for the future.

11. ATL- PG Acie Law- If rumors aren’t unfounded, Acie Law will be going to the ATL at 11. Picking two relatively NBA-ready prospects is a must for the Hawks, and it looks like they’ll do it this year. Law will finally give them a solid floor general, one that can also score off the dribble and has made big shots in the past. This 6-3 prospect out of Texas A&M may end up being individually successful earlier than the rest of the point guards in this draft class and might actually be the key to finally tying together all of the Hawks’ young pieces.

12. PHI- F Al Thornton- The Sixers probably need a power forward more than anything right now, but they might be running out of luck here at 12. Thornton is a true 3 with great offensive skills, and has even shown that he can bang at the power forward position at FSU. His inside-outside abilities could be a plus for Philly, a team that will surely be desperate for scoring next season.

13. NO- SG Nick Young- New Orleans has no choice here- they need a 2 guard badly. Devin Brown is their current starter there with little to no depth on the bench behind him. Hopefully he doesn’t turn into another J.R. Smith in terms of work ethic and defense, as both of these aspects are questionable in his game.

14. LAC- PG Javaris Crittenton- The Clippers desperately need a point guard since their current future at the position may never recover from his injuries, and Sam Cassell will be 38 this November. Elgin Baylor may have learned from his mistakes and would probably cringe away from taking another young point guard like Crittenton (who is one year out of high school), but at 14 and with his potential, they almost have no choice. They may as well work on this guy’s skills while Cassell ages and while they pray for Livingston to return at full health. Let’s just hope Elgin keeps his mouth shut about who he is going to take this year.

15. DET- G Rodney Stuckey- Detroit could really use a solid player in the backcourt after Carlos Delfino failed to fulfill this need and was traded to the Raptors. Stuckey is a versatile combo guard that was known for his scoring prowess at E. Washington. His defense may not be fully up to the Pistons’ standards, but there is room to improve within this guy and he has really proven that he belongs in the first round.

16. WAS- SF Julian Wright- This guy shouldn’t fall this far, but with the way things are going he might as well do so. The Wizards desperately need a shooting guard to help out Gilbert Arenas and they could go for somebody like Derrick Byars, but when you have a spectacular athlete like Julian Wright fall to your lap, you have to pick him up.

17. NJ- PF Josh McRoberts- New Jersey could be getting a steal with McRoberts here at 17, whose athleticism and finishing skills is needed in the Nets’ post game. His back to the basket offense needs help, but his potential is great and his energetic nature would fit right in with the rest of New Jersey’s talent.

18. GS- PF Jason Smith- Smith’s solid perimeter game for a 4 would surely thrive in Don Nelson’s offense, and the Warriors have really needed a good big man for a while. He may not be your conventional post player, but why shouldn’t they fill that position and get another good perimeter player at the same time?

19. LAL- SF Thaddeus Young- The Lakers would probably do better by drafting a point guard or big man here, but they could use a solid forward with potential like Thaddeus Young, especially if he falls this far. Anything that can please Kobe, they must do, but at 19 there’s not a lot they can pull together.

20. MIA- SG Daequan Cook- Miami ended the season ranked 27th in the league in three point shooting percentage and could really use some extra shooting, especially if Jason Kapono bolts for a long term deal somewhere else. Cook can give them the deep shooting they need at the 2-guard position, all he needs to do is improve his ballhandling and defense.

21. PHI- SG Morris Almond- After trading Allen Iverson, Philadelphia needs more offense. Almond is one of the best offensive two guards in the draft and may end up being a huge steal.

22. CHA- SG Rudy Fernandez- Charlotte could fill their need at shooting guard by taking Fernandez here and hoping for some solid development.

23. NY- SF Wilson Chandler- There have been quite a few rumors about this pick, including one that the Knicks may actually be picking for someone else. Wilson Chandler won’t even be working out for them, but there have been hints that he will be going here.

24. PHX- SG Marco Belinelli- Belinelli’s jumpshot and offensive skills make for a perfect fit for the Suns’ offense. In their system, Belinelli might even be able to play right away and have the ability to put up big numbers for Phoenix.

25. UTA- SG Arron Afflalo- The Jazz really need a solid two guard in their system in order to be more competitive in the playoffs next season. Ronnie Brewer might end up being good offensively, but they can stand to add more depth there anyway. Afflalo plays solid defense, has a nice jumpshot, and is definitely one of the most NBA-ready 2 guards in this draft. He is a Jerry Sloan-type player and could give them what Jazz fans saw in Raja Bell a few years back.

26. HOU- PF Tiago Splitter- Since trading veteran Juwan Howard to the Timberwolves, the Rockets have created a huge hole at the power forward position. Down here at 26 they may have a hard time filling this need as Splitter is no guarantee to be here. If he is, expect them to snatch him up and hope he can play as soon as next season.

27. DET- G/F Derrick Byars- Detroit could just use this pick on a big man with potential, but they could also continue to build up their backcourt depth and take a guard/wing combo player like Derrick Byars. The guy has good size, plays defense, and his scoring is underrated. Byars is extremely polished and should have little to no trouble learning the Pistons’ system on both sides of the ball.

28. SAN- C Kyrylo Fesenko- Fesenko has been a quick riser this offseason, going from a potentially undrafted prospect to a first-round possibility. Look for the Spurs to continue their practices of drafting international players here, all the while filling their need at center for the future.

29. PHX- PG Gabe Pruitt- The Suns need a point guard to spell Steve Nash and Pruitt can run the floor with the best of them, making this a solid fit.

30. PHI- PG Ramon Sessions- Philly could use another point on their roster and Sessions has shown that he is one of the purest in the draft. He would have ample time to learn from Andre Miller before being worked more into the offense.

By noballer07 & 808Hornetsfan

The Hornets literally hit the jackpot in the ‘05 Draft when PG Chris Paul was passed up by three teams before landing in the Hornets nest. It was an obvious choice for GM Allen Bristow then, and Paul has been worth the pick thus far in his career. The problem the Hornets now face is finding the next rookie who can work side-by-side with Paul in leading the team to the postseason. Of course, that will be difficult to accomplish seeing is how the Hornets are not picking fourth overall, but 13th overall. There are plenty of options, but it is still uncertain on what the team will do with their first round selection, so we’re going to do our best in determining what will happen on Thursday night.

We do know that there are at least five players on the Hornets draft board that will likely be selected at #13, but it’s always hard to predict which one of those players is the favorite among the best. These are the five that will be looked at constantly throughout the next 24 hours or so:

SG Nick Young, USC

SF Julian Wright, Kansas

PG Acie Law, Texas A&M

SF Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech

G/F Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt

It’s safe to say the Hornets will be looking for a guard/wing in the first round. All five of these players would make a big contribution next season, but the hardest question is which one fits the best? We’ve answered that, along with who the team should take with both of their picks…

First Round (13th overall)

noballer07:

SG Nick Young- If this guy is there, take him. There have been reports that Byron Scott was not entirely pleased with Young’s defense at the workout on the 25th, but at this point the team has no choice. The best 2-guard on the board in Corey Brewer will probably be long gone, and so will Julian Wright, a wing player who could develop into an all-around talent. Nick Young is probably the best player they’ll be able to get in this draft in order to fill the shooting guard position for the team. Let’s just hope that he isn’t the next J.R. Smith.

Alternative:
G/F Derrick Byars- If in any event Nick Young isn’t available or Scott ends up not wanting to develop another shooting guard prospect, they can trade down and take Derrick Byars, who is probably the second most NBA-ready 2-guard in this draft. Scott has also commented that he would like a player that can play shooting guard and small forward and Byars has the versatility and NBA-body to do both.

808Hornetsfan:

SF Thaddeus Young- His numbers may not be that impressive, but he has the versatility to be a starting SF in the NBA. He has a nice shooting touch, he can rebound, he can defend in the paint against opposing forwards, and he’s one of, if not the most athletic player in the draft. Coach Scott will not pass him up if he’s there at #13, Young’s workouts made sure of that. The only question that Thaddeus must answer in the future is can he be more of a threat offensively if he does start?

Alternative:
G Nick Young- Either way, the Hornets will draft a Young with the 13th pick, unless somehow both of these guys are taken before the Hornets are up. Young can step in immediately for the team and score some points, but his defense will have to improve if he’s going to play the 2. With Peja Stojakovic returning this season, Coach Scott will want a more balanced attack on both sides, but the team will struggle if both Young and Peja are beat defensively every night.

Second Round (43rd overall)

noballer07:

PG Taurean Green- Who knows if Scott was impressed by this guy, but he may as well be available at 43. We need a 3rd option at the point guard right now seeing that Bobby Jackson is almost a guarantee to miss 20 or more games a season at this stage of his career and Chris Paul needs the load taken off of him in order to tone down on some of his own injuries. Green needs work running an offense but being the third point guard on a team with a very young talent leading the show at the 1 takes all of the pressure off.

Alternatives:
SF Reyshawn Terry- The 6-7 forward has experience, plays good defense, and has an NBA-ready frame. Although being a 4-year player, he still has a good bit of potential in him.

SF Dominic McGuire- This guy is not a bad player; he’s quite an athlete and plays solid defense. Could be a nice replacement for Desmond Mason.

PF Glen Davis- A no-brainer for a lot of people since he plays just up the river from New Orleans. He wouldn’t fill a need, but if he falls to our hands it would be quite interesting to see how he would fit in.

808Hornetsfan:

F Demetris Nichols- One of the most improved players the last two seasons, Nichols has stepped up his game and can really create a spark off the bench for the Hornets. His FG% have increased in each of his four seasons at Syracuse, and he averaged 18 and 5 a game this past season. He has great post moves in the paint, and his defense is among the best at his position. With a few seasons of experience, Nichols could a perfect weapon off the bench, and can certainly fill in for someone when the injury bug comes around.

Alternative:
F Glen Davis- Not many forwards that are Big Baby’s size can average 17, 10 and 2 a game. Not to mention, Davis has been known to hit some three-pointers. It is a development project to take him, but like noballer said, he’s a hometown boy who fit in perfectly. And who knows, maybe he becomes the steal of the draft and is a future starter in New Orleans?

There is no telling of what can happen on draft night, but we hope we’re pretty close in predicting what’s going to unfold. After a month of workouts and scouting, we hope Coach Scott and the gang can make the right decisions with their two picks, the city of New Orleans will be watching very move they make.

Hornets Workout Seven
by noballer07

PF Jason Smith 7-0 240
Attributes- Smith is a perimeter-oriented seven footer with a smooth jumpshot out to 18 feet and solid ballhanding for his size. His post moves aren’t varied or refined, and his strength needs to improve in order to be successful down low in the NBA.
Hornets?- I’m almost certain they aren’t looking to draft this guy as he wouldn’t fit into this system and doesn’t fill a need. The team already has 2 solid power forwards in David West and Cedric Simmons.

PF Carl Landry 6-8 245
Attributes- A nice prospect at the four, Landry was a solid low post scorer and rebounder at Purdue. However, he is undersized for a power forward and probably won’t be effective defensively.
Hornets?- It’s a possibility that they’d take him at #43; he should be available around that pick and it would be nice to give some competition to Brandon Bass.

G Nate Funk 6-3 195
Attributes- Nate Funk is a tweener with good ability to score off the dribble and a solid jumpshot. May not be drafted. His court vision is not the best and he does better at the 2.
Hornets?- I doubt it; he won’t be drafted but probably will be picked up by a team for the summer league.

F Levon Kendall 6-10 230
Attributes- Not much is known about this guy, but apparently he has the ability to both put the ball on the floor and post up down low. Hasn’t done much at Pittsburgh in his college career.
Hornets?- Low probability; he may be taken a look at for the summer league.

G/F Derrick Byars 6-7 225
Attributes- Very solid prospect; NBA-ready and plays defense. Has a variety of moves offensively and has displayed a consistent jumper. Upside might be limited.
Hornets?- If the team decides to trade down, it’s a possibility. I know Byron Scott likes players who play defense and this guy will be able to step in early on and help out the team.

PF Chris Richard 6-9 255
Attributes- Low post scorer and hustle man for Florida. Never got the opportunity to do much (mostly a bench player) and played under the shadows of Horford and Noah down low. Very grounded.
Hornets?- I like this guy; he’s tough and has a wide body. He probably won’t get drafted but we might see him get picked up by the team in free agency.

G Loren Stokes 6-3 180
Attributes- Hofstra guard that averaged 20 ppg this past season. Rebounding is solid for his size. Very likely to go undrafted as his point guard skills are unrefined. Has played a lot of small forward.
Hornets?- We need a third option at point guard and I’m not impressed with who they’re bringing in, but who knows, they may swing him an offer in free agency to play in the summer league.

By 808Hornetsfan

HornetsNews.com takes a look at the three free agents who may be leaving the Big Easy in early July. Which will the Hornets retain, and which will the Hornets let walk this summer? We finish up our week-long preview with veteran G/F Desmond Mason.

2007 Season: 75 games, 75 starts, 13.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.5 apg

Mason arrived in a time of transition for the Hornets. Hurricane Katrina had just swept through the city of New Orleans, and the team was still getting used to their temporary home, Oklahoma City. Desmond was a key player in the Hornets big turnaround in 2005, and he continued to lead the team with his strong play. Mason is considered to be one of the top defenders at his position, and his production on the court shows why.

On a injury-plagued Hornets roster, Mason was the only player in the starting lineup that was able to play in every game. That streak ended towards the end of the season when Mason was elbowed in the face by Sonics F Chris Wilcox during a game against Seattle. The injury required season-ending surgery on his nose, and the Hornets failed to reach the playoffs without him. In a way, much of the success of the past two seasons was thanks to D-Mase, who played in 145 games while starting in 130.

The seven-year veteran will turn 30 in October, but he has yet to show signs of his age. In fact, Mason’s high-flying dunking abilities are still as good as they were when he was the Slam Dunk Champion back in 2001. With that in mind, management must take some time to evaluate Mason’s last two seasons, and decide if he can play a big role in getting the Hornets into the playoffs next year.

With the Hornets expected to sign only a few players in free agency, it doesn’t look to well for the fans who want Mason back with the team next season. A player like Desmond will be sought after by a handful of teams, and his market value will have GM’s willing to pay a hefty salary to get him.

With Mason gone, a big hole opens up at SF, and the only way to fix that is by drafting a swingman with the 13th overall selection. Whether or not a rookie can fill in that hole, well, that remains to be seen. All we can hope for is a consistent player that can anchor our perimeter defense as well as hit shots from anywhere on the floor, two things Mason did for us for two seasons.

So at this point, it looks like the Hornets will part ways with Desmond this July. Who knows what the future holds without #24 on our squad, but we must move on. Perhaps Mason finds the perfect team that can get him what every basketball player dreams of getting, a championship ring. I wish him good luck on the rest of his NBA career, his time here as a Hornet will not be forgotten.

Desmond Mason: FA

This concludes our preview of the upcoming free agency period, the Hornets will have some tough decisions to make on who to keep for next season. One key contributer, Jannero Pargo, already opted out of his two-year deal last week, so we may see a lot of changes ahead. Tomorrow we’ll give you the entire list of Hornets free agents, and explain who will stay and who will go. Only six more days until the 2007 NBA Draft!

By 808Hornetsfan

HornetsNews.com continues it’s look at the three important free agents that could be leaving the Big Easy in early July. Which guys will the Hornets retain, and which will the Hornets let walk this summer? We continue our preview with veteran F/C Marc Jackson.

2007 Season: 56 games, 25 starts, 7.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg

Despite the Hornets using two first round picks in the 2006 draft on a forward and center, Jackson continued to play hard and surpassed rookies Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons on the depth chart. Coach Scott was impressed by Jackson’s aggressive play under the rim, and decided it was best for him to play behind Tyson Chandler at center. 17 of Jackson’s 25 starts were at PF, but he was only able to average around 9 and 3 a game. In seven starts at center, Jackson played much better as he averaged 12 and 6 a night.

His long-range shooting abilities are also a plus, making his value much higher. Although he won’t demand a high salary, Jackson would like to have a little extra bank in his pocket if he’s going to be coming off the bench for another two or three seasons. In fact, at age 32 Marc has never started more than 35 games in one season, and that was in his rookie season with the Warriors. He may not get a starting job elsewhere, but he could get a better opportunity to play with a different team. And with the Hornets waiting to get a return on their two draft choices, Jackson’s playing time would probably decrease to give the younger guys a chance to shine.

It’s going to come down to whether or not the team wants to wait another season to see if they made the right choices in drafting Armstrong and Simmons. Jackson is the only thing standing in their way in terms of playing time. If you look at it in a different way, you’ll see that Jackson’s play was inconsistent. His best games of the year were played in the month of April, when he averaged 13.1 ppg and 7.5 rpg.

The forward and center positions are not something the Hornets have to worry about, so it looks like Jackson will move on this offseason. It will be interesting to see where he lands, and if he’ll be in a better situation. His longest tenure with a team has only been two seasons, so he may never get a long term deal at this point in his career.

Sorry to see you go Marc, but we need to move on. It’s time to see what our younger players can do, and if the risk pays off. I think I speak for a lot of Hornets fans when I say that Marc Jackson will not be wearing a Hornet’s uniform next season.

Marc Jackson: FA

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

Just for exploration sake, here is what I think are the top players in Hornets history. Our history is not as deep and storied as franchises like the Lakers and Celtics, but people will be surprised by how much talent we have had since our membership in the Association began in 1988. Check it out, and submit your own lists if you’d like:

Point Guard
1. Baron Davis
For his 5 1/2 years in New Orleans, Baron Davis handled his business at the point for the Hornets, scoring when they needed him to and dishing out the flashy passes to his teammates for the assist. Many wonder if he would have done better if injuries hadn’t plagued him after the team moved to New Orleans for the 02-03 season…16.1 ppg 5.6 apg
2. Chris Paul
The jury is still out, but from what the league has seen so far, there’s no doubt that this guy will become one of the best players in the team’s history, if not the best passer…16.6 ppg 8.3 apg
3. Muggsy Bogues
Muggsy, the shortest player in NBA history standing at roughly 5′3, was a great player considering his size and did a lot for the team during their playoff runs of the mid 90’s. He peaked in the 1994/95 season, putting up 11.1 ppg and 8.7 apg as the team went 50-32. No one can doubt this guy’s heart; he wasn’t the best point guard in the league but his longevity considering his lack of height is amazing…7.6 ppg 7.6 apg

Shooting Guard
1. David Wesley
David Wesley holds the Hornets record of most games started with 517. His versatility in the backcourt and his shooting ability was an asset to the team for 7 1/2 seasons, all considering he was an undrafted player…14.6 ppg 5 apg
2. Dell Curry
A sharpshooting guard selected by the Hornets in the 1988 Expansion Draft, Dell Curry was an instrumental part of the Hornets offense. Coming off the bench, Curry averaged between 12 and 16 ppg, shot above 46% from the field in his time with the team, and won the Sixth Man Award for the 1993-94 season. Upon his retirement in 2002, he was the Hornets’ all-time leading scorer and is now 17th all-time in 3 pointers made…13.8 ppg .462 FG%
3. Rex Chapman
“Boy wonder” was the first ever draft pick by the Hornets and became known as a solid scorer in his 13 seasons in the NBA. The 6′4 guard only played four seasons for Charlotte after going on to play with the Bullets, Heat, and Suns…15.6 ppg .429 FG%

Small Forward
1. Glen Rice
Glen Rice was a phenomenal shooter for the three seasons he played with the Hornets, and holds the title of having the highest points per game average in franchise history. Rice is also fourth all-time in three pointers made with 1,559, and astounded the league with his .470 percentage from long range in the 1996/97 season…23.6 ppg .422 3P%
2. Jamal Mashburn
In his four years with the Hornets, Mashburn led the team in scoring, averaging over 20 ppg every year. The 6-8 combo forward had range from all over the court, was a solid rebounder, and was known for making big shots. Mashburn was also one of only three players in the NBA ranked in the top 30 in scoring, rebounding, and assists in the 2000-01 season. Knee injuries led to his downfall in the 03-04 season. He never returned after that…21 ppg 6.5 rpg 4.5 apg
3. Kendall Gill
Selected by Charlotte 5th overall in 1990, Gill gave the team a solid scoring punch and defense at the 2 and 3 positions. He peaked in his sophomore season, averaging 20.5 ppg, 1.95 spg, and 4.2 apg…15.3 ppg 4.6 rpg 1.5 spg

Power Forward
1. Larry Johnson
Selected first overall in 1991, Larry Johnson scored more points in his rookie year than any other Hornets rookie did that would come later on. His versatility at the 4 alongside Alonzo Mourning produced one of the best frontcourts in the league. Grandma-ma would spend five years in Charlotte before being traded to the Knicks for Anthony Mason in 1996…19.4 ppg 9.2 rpg .497 FG%
2. P.J. Brown
Brown never put up big numbers, but the team could always rely on him in the post. In his six seasons with the team, P.J.’s hustle and defense made him a fan favorite, and he always played the role that his team required him to play. You never heard a complaint from this guy, and his mentoring to the younger players was amazing…9.7 ppg 8.8 rpg
3. Anthony Mason
Mase’s defense, rebounding, and scoring ability in the post was an asset to the team devoid of Larry Johnson from 96-00. He is also known for the trade that brought P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn to the team from Miami…13.5 ppg 10 rpg

Center
1. Alonzo Mourning
Mourning was without a doubt the best center (and arguably the best player) to have put on a Hornets uniform at the time. Right off the bat, he showed his all-around defensive and offensive skills in the post, and would go on for three seasons with the team…21.3 ppg 10.1 rpg 3.2 bpg
2. Elden Campbell
In his 4 seasons with the team, Easy E showed his smooth offensive touch in the post and shot blocking skills. In the 1999-00 season, he lead the team with 1.92 bpg…12.4 ppg 7 rpg 1.61 bpg
3. Vlade Divac
To swap Kobe Bryant for Divac was possibly the worst trade in Hornets history, but Vlade was solid for his two seasons with the team. His shooting, passing skills, and shot blocking were assets to the team…11.5 ppg 8.6 rpg 1.85 bpg

Backup point guard Jannero Pargo has announced that he will opt out of the 2-year deal he signed last season and will become an unrestricted FA on July 1. Averaging 9.2 ppg and 2.5 apg, Pargo played in all 82 games for the Hornets and started in 7.

A Word From noballer07
Where is this guy going to go?? He’s had the best season of his career and was in a solid situation. The money was there, the front office liked him and wanted him to stay, and he probably would have gotten an extended contract after next season. But, the Hornets should just move on; they must find a solid backup point guard for insurance to step in when Bobby Jackson gets injured (pretty much a given, I would say). They could probably go into the draft with the mindset of taking a point guard with #43, or they can just look into free agency for a veteran or an undrafted. Pargo was a solid player off the bench and the Hornets need to make sure that they can acquire an adequate replacement.