Darrell Arthur wore a Hornets cap immediately after he was selected during Thursday night's NBA draft, but he eventually had to exchange it.
As expected, the Hornets completed a draft-day trade, selecting the Kansas forward Darrell Arthur with the 27th pick before trading his draft rights to the Portland Trail Blazers for cash considerations that could total up to $3 million.
Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower was reluctant to wait for a low first-round draft pick to develop into a contributor coming off the bench next season. Arthur, 6 feet 9, played two seasons at Kansas and averaged 12.8 points.
The deal was delayed a day from becoming finalized because they had to await for NBA approval. Without a draft pick, the Hornets will aim their attention on landing an experienced small forward/shooting guard through free agency. The Hornets can begin negotiating with free agents on July 1.
The Hornets worked out more than 40 players, but most of the prospects were not projected to be selected in the first round.
Although Bower did not rule out the possibility of moving up in the draft, they decided against it. They apparently were unwilling to give up one of their younger players such as backup center Hilton Armstrong.
The Hornets had their most successful season in franchise history with a franchise-record 56 wins before advancing to the second round of the playoffs and losing in seven games to the San Antonio Spurs. They are projected to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference next season with the core of Chris Paul, David West, Peja Stojakovic and Tyson Chandler all returning.
Coach Byron Scott said they just need to make a few additions on the bench to possibly have a better season.
Some of the top free agents available include Boston's James Posey and Eddie House, the Los Angeles Clippers' Corey Maggette, Denver's Eduardo Najera, Detroit's Jarvis Hayes, Golden State's Matt Barnes, San Antonio's Brent Barry and Michael Finley and Chicago's Chris Duhon, who lives in Slidell.
It's the first time the Hornets made no selections in the draft since 2002, when they sent the 17th pick overall pick to the Washington Wizards for guard Courtney Alexander. At the time, the Hornets sought veteran help but later that season they failed to advance from the first-round of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers after advancing to the second round the previous season.
The Hornets went through their normal draft night routine with a war room with 20 basketball operations staff members monitoring the draft developments. The franchise also hosted a draft night party at a Metairie sports bar and despite trading their pick more than 300 fans attended.
The Hornets worked out more than 40 players in preparation for the draft this month, but most of the prospects were not projected to be selected in the first round. Most of the mock drafts had the Hornets selecting Memphis shooting guard Chris Douglas-Roberts, who had an impressive workout at Tulane earlier this week.
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ah...traded for 3 mil....that could bring in somebody worth starting over mo pete tho....michael finley of the spurs could be a good addition...staying in the west...he has great ball skills and can elevate when needed....he started last year for the spurs but that was so manu could lead the second team....finley would definitly start over mo pete....most picks that late in the draft dont usually pan out ne way....im glad they did the smart thing
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Now we see that they made the right move. Posey will dominate all of the aging Spurs next year.
posey isnt exactly youthful.....hes been in the league for awhile if i remember correctly and he never has been a very dominant player...plus he isnt going to start in front of david west
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Posey is a career backup SF. The main thing he brings to the team is a consistent 3-point threat off the bench, which is something the Hornets were lacking last season.
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peja is a pretty consistant 3-point shooter....posey brings a lot to the team but there is no way he'll start...i do love him tho...even tho he beat up the cavs in the playoffs
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Draft?
