Free Agency and New Orleans Hornets

[StrayDawg]

They are about to lock up Chris Paul for either 3 or 5 years making somewhere in the neighborhood of 16-20 Million per year. He has a year left on his current contract, but it would be stupid to not lock him up now and let him become a restricted free agent next year.

Aside from that, they have four current players who are free agents:

Chris Andersen, center, unrestricted
Ryan Bowen, forward, unrestricted
Jannero Pargo, guard, unrestricted
Bonzi Wells, forward, unrestricted

No huge loss with any of those guys, and it would free up some salary space. I wouldn't mind keeping Andersen, but if he leaves we can survive without him.

There are several guys they are talking about pursuing in free agency, but not sure how it will end up.

1. Corey Magette. He opted out of his contract with the Clippers, but he will be EXPENSIVE. Probably 7-10 Million per year.

2. Jarvis Hayes. Not as good as Magette, but a good solid performer who would only come with a price tag of ~$2 Million.

3. James Posey. 31 isn't old, but it is middle aged in the NBA. He did a good job for the Celtics this year, but not sure about a 4-5 year contract.

4. Brent Barry. Will be 37 this year. I would say no to him.

5. Sabastian Telfair and Carlos Arroyo. Both have been mentioned, but both are point guards and CP3 is the man in New Orleans. They would have to be happy being backups.

6. Chris Duhon. Is from New Orleans and might not mind playing behind CP3.

7. Kareem Rush. Not really an impact player, but they could afford him and he is a decent shooter.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Dawg04? Professor?

[jlam]

The problem is that we really only have the mid-level exception to work with before going into luxury tax land which, as our oh-so-shrewd draft mood would seem to indicate, I doubt Shinn is willing to enter.

I would be thrilled with Duhon as a backup one, but he would likely eat up the majority of the MLE leaving us out of the running for anyone who can help at the 2. Maggette would be fantastic, but I have little to no confidence in us being able to sign him. If we did, it would almost certainly mean Bonzi is gone.

For the sake of due diligence, one name that has been linked to the Hornets is Jason Williams. No, not the one who killed his limo driver. No, not the one who wrecked his motorcycle and ended his career. Yes, white chocolate :covri:. I would be okay with this if he only came in for the vet minimum (~2mill), but anything more I think would be too much for an over 30 backup point with a propensity to take bad shots and not play good defense. Hmm why does that description sound familiar? *coughPargocough*

Hayes and Posey would be solid role additions, but nothing to hang your hat on in the FA period so to speak. Both help to stretch the floor while they're in the game by being 3pt threats, and though I can't speak quite as knowledgeably on Hayes, I know Posey is a very solid defender to boot.

Call me negative nancy, but to me all signs are pointing to us making CP3 and Scott the major "signings" of the summer and maybe bringing in one or two role players. I don't think we're willing to dole out the $$ for a Maggete or Duhon right now.

[Bigdog13]

They are about to lock up Chris Paul for either 3 or 5 years making somewhere in the neighborhood of 16-20 Million per year. He has a year left on his current contract, but it would be stupid to not lock him up now and let him become a restricted free agent next year.

Aside from that, they have four current players who are free agents:

Chris Andersen, center, unrestricted
Ryan Bowen, forward, unrestricted
Jannero Pargo, guard, unrestricted
Bonzi Wells, forward, unrestricted

No huge loss with any of those guys, and it would free up some salary space. I wouldn't mind keeping Andersen, but if he leaves we can survive without him.

There are several guys they are talking about pursuing in free agency, but not sure how it will end up.

1. Corey Magette. He opted out of his contract with the Clippers, but he will be EXPENSIVE. Probably 7-10 Million per year.

2. Jarvis Hayes. Not as good as Magette, but a good solid performer who would only come with a price tag of ~$2 Million.

3. James Posey. 31 isn't old, but it is middle aged in the NBA. He did a good job for the Celtics this year, but not sure about a 4-5 year contract.

4. Brent Barry. Will be 37 this year. I would say no to him.

5. Sabastian Telfair and Carlos Arroyo. Both have been mentioned, but both are point guards and CP3 is the man in New Orleans. They would have to be happy being backups.

6. Chris Duhon. Is from New Orleans and might not mind playing behind CP3.

7. Kareem Rush. Not really an impact player, but they could afford him and he is a decent shooter.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Dawg04? Professor?

Duhon would be an immediate upgrade at backup PG. I would sign him quick. He's a good team player that can play meaningful minutes and doesn't make many mistakes.

Posey is limited. Good D and 3's but might want more money than he is worth.

You guys need a huge upgrade at SG. That is the biggest weakness. Morris Peterson doesn't have much game. Magette would fit in well there but might be overpriced. The other starters are all good to go. Don't know how many years Peja has left though but you would think he'd be ok this year.

I would let Anderson, Wells and Bowen go. I'm 50/50 on Pargo depending on how cheap you could sign him. I wouldn't use Pargo as my main backup PG but more of a Steve Kerr type 3 point specialist.

[jlam]

I wouldn't use Pargo as my main backup PG but more of a Steve Kerr type 3 point specialist.

Nice in theory, but the rub lies in the fact that Kerr knew his role and had slightly less of a propensity to jack up 7 shots in 2 minutes.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

I'ld like to see us get Ben Gordon from Chicago.

[Bigdog13]

Nice in theory, but the rub lies in the fact that Kerr knew his role and had slightly less of a propensity to jack up 7 shots in 2 minutes.

Yeah to be honest I only really paid attention to Pargo during the Dallas series and he played lights out a couple of times. I do remember him playing in Chicago for a couple of years and he played exactly as you described. Besides he might not have good enough fg% or 3pt% to play that type of role.

[theprofessor]

they want to re-sign pargo. that's the top priority behind getting the ink on paul's extension. they like pargo as a new david wesley type who can play the backup one and also go small at the 2.

it looks like their top options behind pargo are james posey and p.j. brown, who coincidentally are all represented by the same agent, mark bartlestein. i don't know if the hornets can sign all three, but i wouldn't be opposed to it. others being mentioned are juan dixon and jarvis hayes.

i still think the top priority behind re-signing chris paul should be to get a major upgrade at the 2. corey maggette fits that bill, and i'd love to see him slide into the starting lineup alongside cp3, peja, dwest and tyson. that would be one of the best starting lineups in the league. i'd also like to see if p.j. would like to come for the $1 million exception.

having p.j., mo pete, armstrong and julian wright coming off the bench gives nine solid players. it does, however, leave a big hole as paul's backup that i hope mike james can fill.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

The Corey Maggette possibility has some legs.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...yhoo&type=lgns

[bluecrew]

they want to re-sign pargo. that's the top priority behind getting the ink on paul's extension. they like pargo as a new david wesley type who can play the backup one and also go small at the 2.

it looks like their top options behind pargo are james posey and p.j. brown, who coincidentally are all represented by the same agent, mark bartlestein. i don't know if the hornets can sign all three, but i wouldn't be opposed to it. others being mentioned are juan dixon and jarvis hayes.

i still think the top priority behind re-signing chris paul should be to get a major upgrade at the 2. corey maggette fits that bill, and i'd love to see him slide into the starting lineup alongside cp3, peja, dwest and tyson. that would be one of the best starting lineups in the league. i'd also like to see if p.j. would like to come for the $1 million exception.

having p.j., mo pete, armstrong and julian wright coming off the bench gives nine solid players. it does, however, leave a big hole as paul's backup that i hope mike james can fill.

If we are going to take the next step its going to take alot more than just re-signing Pargo.

I hope we take a serious run at Ben Gordon. He is not my favorite player( a small 2) but I think he can flourish in our system.

Also dont be surprised if the hornets look at bringing in BOTH slidell boys in PJ and Chris Duhon.

[Red's Better]

Ben Gordon would be a huge pickup. Then you have Mo P coming in off the bench. Solid 6th man as well as Pargo. I think we get some more good minutes this year from Ely and Armstrong. With our system and CP's driving ability, all Gordon has to do is spot up. He is a solid scorer just has trouble taking people off the dribble because of his size. In our system he wont have to do that. I mean, Kirk Heinrick doesnt create shots...........

I think if we get Ben Gordon we are making a serious run at a title.

[jlam]

The Corey Maggette possibility has some legs.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...yhoo&type=lgns

That's a few days old and, though not completely out of the question, most of the talk that's been swirling since then has him landing most likely in San Antonio, which would suck royally.

[jlam]

If we are going to take the next step its going to take alot more than just re-signing Pargo.

I hope we take a serious run at Ben Gordon. He is not my favorite player( a small 2) but I think he can flourish in our system.

Also dont be surprised if the hornets look at bringing in BOTH slidell boys in PJ and Chris Duhon.

Ben Gordon would be a huge pickup. Then you have Mo P coming in off the bench. Solid 6th man as well as Pargo. I think we get some more good minutes this year from Ely and Armstrong. With our system and CP's driving ability, all Gordon has to do is spot up. He is a solid scorer just has trouble taking people off the dribble because of his size. In our system he wont have to do that. I mean, Kirk Heinrick doesnt create shots...........

I think if we get Ben Gordon we are making a serious run at a title.

2 things wrong with Ben Gordon.

First, he'll be expensive as hell and the only way we'd get him would be a sign-and-trade. Who you gonna trade?

Second, even if you somehow worked out the logistics, you have major defensive issues with him and CP as your starting backcourt. Sure he can score, but you'd have no wing defender capable of guarding long opposing 2s. Peja is too slow, Gordon is too short. The most likely scenario would have Gordon coming off the bench with MoPete remaining in the starting lineup (think Manu Ginobili). But then that's a lot of dough to be giving a guy who can only be on the floor when the other team has gone small or if MoPete or Julian Wright (assuming you didn't trade him for Gordon) is in the game with him.

Gordon turned down a 50 million dollar contract offer from Chicago last summer. I know that times change and situations evolve, but all signs point to the fact that he doesn't want to just be a role player.

Also, the Knicks have all but signed Duhon so the chances of him coming to N.O. are probably slimmer than any other name that's popped up thus far. They've reportedly been in negotiation with him since the opening of the FA period. I'd love to have him but it just doesn't look like it will happen.

P.J. would be great as well, but I'm not holding my breath.

/negativenancy

[TYLERTECHSAS]

http://blog.nola.com/hornetsbeat/200...ention_on.html

The Hornets are targeting
Boston Celtics free agent James
Posey to solve their needs at
shooting guard, but whether
Hornets General Manager Jeff
Bower can pull off a deal is un´
certain.

Free agents can begin signing
contracts Wednesday, and Posey
is one of the most sought after
on the market. Posey, who can
play shooting guard and small
forward, appears to be one of
the Hornets' No.¤1 targets.
However, it likely would take a
full mid-level exception offer of
$5.8¤million for him to consider
coming to New Orleans.

http://blog.nola.com/hornetsbeat/200...ention_on.html

[Bigdog13]

Magette looks to be heading to Golden State and not San Antonio which is good news for all of us in the West.

[TYLERTECHSAS]

Magette looks to be heading to Golden State and not San Antonio which is good news for all of us in the West.

Very true.