[TimesPicayune] Hornets pressing forward for player
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Hornets pressing forward for player
N.O. regrouping after not landing Peterson
Saturday, July 31, 2004
By John Reid
Staff writer
Hornets general manager Allan Bristow has kept busy trying
to find help for his team through free agency. A month into
the process, however, the Hornets have yet to fill their
most pressing needs.
The latest blow came Thursday when the Toronto Raptors said
they would match the Hornets' three-year, $15 million offer
to Morris Peterson, thereby putting an end to New Orleans'
bid for the four-year veteran. Peterson would have provided
help at small forward and shooting guard.
After weeks of phone calls and negotiations, the Hornets'
only free-agent signee is Chris Andersen, a backup center who
signed a two-year deal after the Denver Nuggets renounced
their rights to match the offer.
Bristow said the Hornets will continue their search, despite
having to tap into dwindling pool of talented free agents.
"We've got to see if it's a right fit for some other free
agents," Bristow said.
That means the Hornets could go after an NBA journeyman, such
as Robert Horry or Bryon Russell, and sign him to a one- or
two-year contract.
"There are a couple of different scenarios," Bristow said. "But
I would say right off the bat, we're looking at a three (small
forward)."
The Hornets likely are to go after a unrestricted free agent, so
they can quickly strike a deal and not worry about a team matching
their offer.
Darius Miles, who played last season with the Portland Trail
Blazers after a trade from Cleveland, is one of the top small
forwards available. But the Hornets aren't likely to pursue Miles
because the Trail Blazers can match any offer.
The Hornets could pursue the Seattle SuperSonics' Ansu Sesay, the
New York Knicks' DerMarr Johnson, the New Jersey Nets' Rodney
Rogers or the Miami Heat's John Wallace, among others. Bristow has
declined to disclose specific players the team is targeting. But
he said earlier this month that the Hornets had targeted Stephen
Jackson as the top player they wanted to sign. Jackson ended up
re-signing with the Atlanta Hawks and then was traded to the
Indiana Pacers.
The Hornets also pursued backup center Michael Doleac, but he
signed with the Miami Heat, joining Shaquille O'Neal.
Now it appears the Hornets will have to search for a replacement
for Robert Traylor, who, despite weeks of negotiations with
Hornets and several other teams, is seriously considering an offer
by the Cleveland Cavaliers, coached by former Hornets coach Paul
Silas.
Bristow hasn't ruled out the possibility of making a trade to
improve the roster. But it's unlikely any deals would involve
starting power forward P.J. Brown, starting center Jamaal
Magloire or starting point guard Baron Davis.
This week Brown and Magloire were rumored to be included in a
trade discussion. However, Brown's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said
he spoke with Bristow on Thursday, and the Hornets are not
shopping Brown.
"The Hornets like P.J., and P.J. likes the Hornets," Bartelstein
said Friday.
Bristow said through Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman that he was
extremely busy on Friday. It's likely to remain that way until he
strikes some deals.
. . . . . . .
John Reid can be reached at jreid@timespicayune.com or at (504) 826-3405.
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