November 16
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Hornets General Manager/Coach Jeff Bower is expected to provide details today on how long Chris Paul could be sidelined and discuss the MRI test that was performed Saturday on Paul's severely sprained left ankle. Paul, who had to be helped off the floor after suffering the injury in Friday's loss to the visiting Portland Trail Blazers, did not travel with the team to Atlanta for Saturday night's game and underwent medical tests and evaluations in New Orleans. "You are obviously concerned when any of your players get hurt," Bower said. "Chris' absence changes things quite a bit as far the contributions of everyone on the floor. But we got to look to make up the difference in a number of ..."
November 14
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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In his debut game, Hornets Coach Jeff Bower looked concerned after marching on the floor to see his franchise player, Chris Paul, sprawled and writhing in pain from a severely sprained left ankle. With 40.3 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Paul stepped on the back of Portland's center Joel Pryzbilla's foot after soaring to make a pass to Hilton Armstrong in the lane. As Paul landed awkwardly, his left ankle turned and he landed hard on the floor, grimacing in pain as he tossed his mouthpiece and grabbed his ankle. With Paul having to be carried off the court by teammates Sean Marks and Darius Songaila and not returning, New Orleans lost to Portland 86-78 Friday night in front of ..."
October 1
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Hornets' biggest offseason acquisition, Emeka Okafor, was held out of contact work for the second consecutive day because of soreness below his knee, Hornets Coach Byron Scott said after Wednesday's practice. "We're just trying to limit him right now, but we will find out a little more tomorrow,'' Scott said. "We have some concerns of something that he did this summer, so we just want to make sure he's OK before we try to put him through a full day of practice.'' Scott did not rule out the possibility that Okafor could be held out for the remainder of training camp, which concludes Sunday at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette."
September 24
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Hornets are expected to offer training-camp invitations to forward Larry Owens and 7-foot center Earl Barron. Both players participated on the Hornets' summer league team in Las Vegas during July and are expected to sign non-guaranteed contracts before camp begins in Lafayette next week. The Hornets have 15 players under contract. Ryan Bowen, who was not offered a contract to return to the Hornets, has been extended an invitation to participate in the Oklahoma City Thunder training camp. Bowen, a nine-year veteran, played two seasons with the Hornets and was known for his ability to make hustle plays."
July 9
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Wednesday was the first day free agents could sign contracts, and three former Hornets who could have been targets for the team to sign are moving on. Former Hornets and LSU forward Brandon Bass said he can no longer wait on New Orleans to extend him a contract offer. Center Chris Andersen agreed to a five-year, $26 million contract to remain with Denver, and guard Jannero Pargo signed a one-year, $2 million contract with Chicago on Wednesday. New Orleans was one of the teams that Bass considered as an unrestricted free agent. Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower expressed interest last week when he contacted Bass' agent, Tony Dutt. "They said they can't do anything right now until they ..."
July 8
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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With less than a week remaining before free agents can sign contracts, Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower has inquired about former LSU and Hornets forward Brandon Bass, a league source said Thursday afternoon. Before the free-agency period began Wednesday, Bass said through his agent, Tony Dutt, that the Hornets were one of the teams on his list. Although Dutt said the Hornets did not contact him early Wednesday morning, he said he anticipated getting a phone call from Bower eventually. Talks are expected to continue, but Bass is drawing interest from several other teams. It is not known how much the Hornets would be willing to offer Bass. Bass is a Baton Rouge native and a 2005 ..."
July 2
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Although Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower initially said addressing the team's frontcourt depth was a priority in free agency, one of the first calls he made after midnight Wednesday morning was to guard Jannero Pargo's agent, Mark Bartelstein. Teams could begin negotiating with free agents at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, but players cannot sign contracts until July 8. "I talked with Jeff, and they remain interested in Jannero," Bartelstein said. "But he said they still have things to work out with their roster." Bower could be working on a trade before any contract offer is extended to a free agent. Multiple league sources said last week the Hornets have been shopping starting center Tyson ..."
July 2
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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lthough Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower initially said addressing the team's frontcourt depth was a priority in free agency, one of the first calls he made after midnight Wednesday morning was to guard Jannero Pargo's agent, Mark Bartelstein. Teams could begin negotiating with free agents at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, but players cannot sign contracts until July 8. "I talked with Jeff, and they remain interested in Jannero," Bartelstein said. "But he said they still have things to work out with their roster." Bower could be working on a trade before any contract offer is extended to a free agent. Multiple league sources said last week the Hornets have been shopping starting center Tyson ..."
July 1
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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After addressing his team's backcourt needs through the NBA draft last week, Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower now turns his attention toward landing a quality backup frontcourt player in free agency. Bower was able to begin negotiating with free agents at midnight today. Though teams can negotiate deals for the next seven days, players cannot sign contracts until July 8. With use of mid-level and bi-annual exceptions, the Hornets could spend up to $7.4 million on free agents. But they likely won't spend near that amount. Their payroll has escalated to $77.5 million, well over the expected salary cap. The Hornets could sign one or two free agents using just their mid-level exception, ..."
June 27
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The draft-night events in which the Hornets added backcourt players Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton doesn't slam the door on the possible return of former New Orleans combo guard Jannero Pargo, Coach Byron Scott said Friday. Pargo, who last was seeking a three-year contract from the Hornets in the neighborhood of $3 million annually, signed with a team in Russia for considerably less. He is now a free agent eligible to negotiate with any NBA team. Pargo was a spectator at the Hornets' predraft workout when Collison and Thornton auditioned at the Alario Center, along with Pargo's younger brother Jeremy, on June 6. Mark Bartelstein, Pargo's agent, is on record saying he has had ..."
June 27
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The wait -- more than three-and-a-half hours -- was longer than Marcus Thornton, or the Hornets, had expected. The former standout LSU guard wasn't selected in Thursday's NBA draft until the 13th pick of the second round (43rd overall) by the Miami Heat. He was dealt another twist when his home-state Hornets acquired his rights for two second-round picks, one in 2010 and 2012. "We expected him to go sooner," Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower said. "There were some very good players on the board into the second round, and as it unfolded with a pick-by-pick basis, we were watching it and on the phone to try and find a deal if we could while Marcus was still available."
June 27
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Four months after his trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder was rescinded, trade talks for center Tyson Chandler of the Hornets apparently have resumed. According to multiple league sources, the Hornets were involved in trade talks this week with the Cleveland Cavaliers regarding Chandler, but no agreement was reached. Instead, the Cavaliers reached an agreement with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night to obtain center Shaquille O'Neal. On Thursday morning, Hornets officials declined to say if they had been in trade discussions with Cleveland, or with the Suns to obtain O'Neal."
June 9
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Hornets Coach Byron Scott had seen Marcus Thornton's game before Monday. He had witnessed Thornton, last season's Southeastern Conference Player of the Year at LSU, swish 3-pointers and make acrobatic layups. But Monday he got an up-close-and-personal view. Thornton was one of six draft prospects -- all guards -- who worked out for the Hornets at the team's Alario Center practice facility in Westwego. And it was Thornton who made the biggest impression on Scott. "We wanted to see the whole package, and I think he showed us that," Scott said. "He can post up, as well. He's pretty good with the ball in his hands. . . . He has a confidence about himself too that's very impressive. But ..."
June 9
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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While the six draft-eligible backcourt players worked up a sweat for the Hornets on Monday, an exercise that included a full-court, three-on-three game and an old-school suicide run (three of them, to be completed in two minutes or less), the guard the Hornets really want and need sat in the bleachers and watched in a white T-shirt and jeans. The feeling is mutual. Now, Jannero Pargo didn't directly say those words. He's a free agent and, really, it wouldn't be all that smart for him publicly to declare a preference before he officially can be courted and signed. It'd be a good way for him to erase whatever market there might be for his skills and no good businessman -- or his agent -- ..."
June 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Hornets Coach Byron Scott, facing reporters for the first time since his team was eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs April 29, said Friday he views his one-year contract status this coming season as "a challenge," just as it was two years ago when the team won its only division championship. Scott said the decision not to extend the contract of assistant coach Kenny Gattison, who is leaving the team, was mutual. Scott also added that surgery revealed center Tyson Chandler's injured ankle was worse than thought, and Chandler's rehabilitation could take four months, close to the beginning of training camp in October. Scott oversaw the first of the Hornets' predraft workouts ..."
June 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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On his way to becoming the most prolific scorer in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference, North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough saw his share of multiple defenders. "I've had three people guarding me in college," Hansbrough said Friday after the first of the Hornets' predraft workouts of eligible prospects at the Alario Center. "I doubt there will be three people guarding me in the NBA. I'm happy to move on and see what happens." Hansbrough -- a two-time first-team All-American, the College Player of the Year in 2008 and the ACC's all-time leading scorer (2,836) -- was one of six players who worked out for the Hornets on Friday. Also auditioning were Arizona State forward Jeff ..."
June 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Hornets reserve guard Devin Brown has exercised his player option for next season, meaning he likely will return to the team. Brown earned $998,398 last season, and his salary escalates to $1.1 million next season, as per terms of the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement. Brown's decision to exercise his option gives the Hornets 11 players under contract with a total salary of $77.5 million. No other Hornets are believed to have player options for next season. Brown averaged 5.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 13.8 minutes per game last season, his second stint with the Hornets. He was a member of the San Antonio Spurs when they won the NBA championship in 2005 and also has played with the ..."
May 29
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The agent for former New Orleans Hornets guard Jannero Pargo, a free agent, continues to speak with the Hornets about a possible return to the team. "Jeff (Bower, Hornets general manager) and I spoke (Tuesday) about a bunch of things and Jannero was something we discussed and we'll take it a step at a time and see where it goes," Mark Bartelstein said. "There's nothing new to talk about now, but we'll look at it and see what happens. "I think you could say there's mutual interest. That's fair to say." Pargo, despite an offer from the Hornets last summer, signed instead with Dynamo Moscow, a one-year deal worth $3.8 million in the Russian Super League. Pargo secured a buyout from Dynamo ..."
May 7
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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A source close to Hornets Coach Byron Scott said he will return next season to fulfill the final year of his two-year contract, but whether he is offered an extension will be based on evaluations by team executives that will occur throughout next season. Until Wednesday, Scott remained in limbo after Hornets owner George Shinn said he planned to meet with his brain trust to evaluate his coach's performance after the team's quick ouster in the playoffs. If the Hornets had fired Scott, they would've remained on the hook for his $5.5 million salary next season on top of paying a new coach. With the team facing the prospect of having to pay a luxury-tax penalty because player payroll is ..."
May 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Based on what David West expects next season, changes are imminent. It could involve him, but West says he believes he will be back playing alongside Chris Paul. With the Hornets having to pay the luxury tax this summer, they could shop West to draw interest from a number of teams. It has been speculated New Orleans might take that option if it cannot attract enough interest for center Tyson Chandler, who struggled with injuries throughout the season. In February, the Hornets traded Chandler to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the deal was rescinded after he failed their physical examination because of a previous toe injury that required surgery in April 2006. West has two years remaining ..."
May 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Talk that Byron Scott might be available for the right price, or for no price at all, a year after winning NBA Coach of the Year honors hardly is unprecedented. That doesn't mean it's the chatter of genius, but it's within the realm of possibility that a coach who earns the award one season could be ushered to the door the next, or soon after. Such a scenario could present itself for Scott if Sacramento is willing to pony up a buyout or if the Hornets simply decide they want to fire Scott. And it means that crawling across the finish line didn't do Scott, or his team, any favors. So, sure, votes of confidence from players like David West and James Posey are well-intentioned, timely and ..."
May 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Ten days after Hornets owner George Shinn said he planned to meet with his brain trust to evaluate the performance of his head coach, Byron Scott remains in limbo. Scott's agent, Brian McInerney, said Monday afternoon that he has not heard from the Hornets about whether they want Scott to return for the last year of his contract next season or if they'll grant him permission to pursue another job. Regardless, Scott will make $5.5 million next season. Any team interested in hiring him would need permission from the Hornets to contact him and buy out the remainder of Scott's contract. McInerney said Scott was not aware of any issues involving the team's management and his performance until ..."
May 2
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Unable to fulfill expectations this season after finishing with a franchise-record 56 wins in 2007-08, the Hornets are expected to make roster changes this summer. And there appears to be uncertainty about Hornets Coach Byron Scott's return. The Hornets' only public statement is that they plan to evaluate his job performance. When owner George Shinn was asked last week to assess the job Scott has done and if his job is safe for another year, he said it was a loaded question. "I haven't sat down with all my basketball people to go through all those things," Shinn said. "A lot of teams in this league would say they're happy to have won 49 games. What happened with the fact we've had ..."
April 29
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Although the New Orleans Hornets are one loss away from elimination in their best-of-seven series against the Denver Nuggets, there is speculation the franchise could go through an extensive housecleaning this summer to revamp its roster and avoid having to pay the luxury tax. But 10 days ago, New Orleans General Manager Jeff Bower said their evaluations will be based on what they do in the playoffs. The Nuggets hold a 3-1 lead series entering tonight's Game 5 at the Pepsi Center. In Game 4, the Hornets lost by a 58-point margin at home, tying an NBA record for worst playoff loss. Despite rampant trade rumors since March, the Hornets cannot not begin making trades until this July because ..."
April 19
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Without a guarantee from management that he is in their plans for next season, Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler is approaching the playoffs like it might be his final run with All-Stars Chris Paul and David West. Regardless how the Hornets fare against the Denver Nuggets in the opening round of the playoffs, the consensus among the players is that changes are forthcoming this summer. The only uncertainty is the extent of management's desire for a makeover. There is a possibility a core player such as Chandler could be traded to keep the payroll from going above the luxury-tax threshold. Had he not failed a physical examination because of a past toe injury that required surgery in ..."
March 18
New Orleans Times-Picayune
columnist John Reid
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With Houston center Yao Ming sidelined with flu-like symptoms, the Hornets' Tyson Chandler was expected to emerge Monday night at the New Orleans Arena. Instead, Chandler had one of his worst performances, which led to New Orleans' 95-84 loss in front of a sellout crowd. For the second consecutive game, Chandler was often late -- along with several teammates -- in helping contest shots coming from the weak side of the defense. Chandler struggled to get into position to rebound against 42-year-old Dikembe Mutombo, who started in place of Yao. Chandler appeared at times to lack the energy he normally provides. Despite his presence in the post, Rockets forward Ron Artest drove directly over ..."
February 21
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Hornets center Tyson Chandler, back with the team for the first time since his trade to Oklahoma City was voided Wednesday night, has targeted Monday night's game at Sacramento as his possible return date. Chandler attempted to practice fully Monday, but left midway through the workout when his sprained left ankle began hurting. "I wasn't ready in that practice," Chandler said before Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers which he missed, the 15th in a row since he twisted the ankle against the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 19. "That was just me wanting to be back, tired of sitting on the sidelines. Physically, I wasn't ready to come back. I wasn't exactly healed yet. "I feel like ..."
February 17
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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There have been a lot of cyberspace rumblings concerning the Hornets and what they might do before Thursday's NBA trading deadline. Last week, Coach Byron Scott said the chances were "slim" that the team would make a move to acquire a player or players in a swap. That hasn't quelled the speculation that New Orleans, with an eye toward the salary cap and potential luxury tax issues next season, might begin purging salary to get below next season's salary cap and avoid any luxury tax penalties. The Hornets don't have a lot of attractive options on the roster right now to offer teams. If the team is happy with the current makeup of the roster regarding starters, here are three players ..."
February 9
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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With the trade deadline less than two weeks away, the rumors are increasing, and several possible deals involve Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler. However, Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower declined Sunday to say whom they might be shopping or could have an interest in obtaining before the Feb. 19 trade deadline. Bower did say he has made a number of phone calls and has received several inquires from general managers. Chandler has been rumored in possible trades since December, when Sports Illustrated mentioned Chandler in a possible exchange for the Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace. The latest rumor has Chandler going to the Miami Heat in exchange for power forward Shawn Marion, ..."
December 16
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Hornets have bucked economic trends this season by experiencing a surge in season-ticket sales and sponsorships, and now they've enlisted a national management company to sell the naming rights to the New Orleans Arena. Octagon, a McLean, Va., firm that represents the Hornets' two All-Stars, Chris Paul and David West, will be pursuing a potential sponsor for the building in which the two stars play, a chore Octagon believes is attainable despite the country's economic turmoil. "Selling naming rights is always difficult," said Octagon's Tom George, senior vice president of athlete and property marketing. "It's a big ticket, and you have to find the right people. We just had a little ..."
August 10
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The Hornets might lose a backup point guard, but they're retaining an energy bench player for the upcoming season. A league source confirmed Saturday night that forward Ryan Bowen has re-signed with the team. Bowen told an Iowa newspaper that he had signed a one-year deal to return to the Hornets after playing in 53 games last season. He averaged 2.2 points and 1.9 rebounds last season. Bowen also appeared in nine of the Hornets' 12 playoff games. "I think they've showed that they want to keep improving, with the commitment they showed Chris Paul (a three-year extension) and by adding James Posey, who has won a couple of titles and will make us better," Bowen told The (Burlington) ..."
August 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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It appears the Hornets might be ready to live with Mike James as the backup point guard this season, allowing Jannero Pargo to sign with another NBA team, possibly the San Antonio Spurs. Pargo's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said the Hornets "don't seem interested in signing (Pargo) at this point. I don't think he'll be back with them." Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower on Tuesday declined to comment on any on-going negotiations with free agents. Pargo, 28, opted out of his contract with the Hornets this summer to test the free-agent market. Bartelstein said he really couldn't characterize the Hornets' interest or lack thereof in retaining Pargo, who last season was Coach Byron Scott's ..."
July 10
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower said the team has been involved in serious discussions with several free agents, but no deals were finalized Wednesday, the first day free agents could sign contracts. The Hornets continue to express interest in Boston free agent swingman James Posey and Detroit shooting guard Jarvis Hayes. They are also making a push to re-sign point guard Jannero Pargo, who is receiving interest from at least four different teams, according to his agent. "I think we had some strong discussions with a large number of prospects," Bower said."