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| Man, New Orleans has some crazy popsicles |
2009-10 Record: 37-45
Additions: Dell Demps (GM), Monty Williams (Coach), Trevor Ariza (Trade), Marco Belinelli (Trade), Willie Green (Trade), Jason Smith (Trade), Joe Alexander (FA), Pops Mensah-Bonsu (FA), Quincy Pondexter (Draft)
Subtractions: Jeff Bower, James Posey, Morris Peterson, Craig Brackins, Darius Songaila, Julian Wright, Darren Collison, Ike Diogu, Sean Marks
Things could have gone horribly wrong for New Orleans last year after Franchise player and superstar Chris Paul went down with an injury that caused him to miss almost half the season, but they didn't. In a way it did, as the Hornets finished with their worst record since before Chris Paul's rookie year. But there's a silver lining, as it allowed rookies Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton to bloom, and become valuable assets for the team going forward.
It's widely known that New Orleans has money issues, and most of their trades over the past few years have been based off of dumping salary to avoid the luxury tax and trying to shed contracts. They gave up their lottery pick in Cole Aldrich this year just to get Morris Peterson's (expiring) contract off their hands. The Hornets did get two picks for the trade as well, that gave them Brackins and Pondexter, but the Hornets managed to give away Brackins for basically nothing recently.
The Hornets also gave up their most important asset outside of Chris Paul in Darren Collison for Trevor Ariza and getting Indiana to take James Posey's contract off their hands. Ariza proved he couldn't carry an offense last year in Houston, but he's still a dramatic improvement at the wing for them, which isn't saying much of New Orleans previous wings. New Orleans could've gotten more for Collison I think, but he would've been wasted in NOLA with a fully healthy Chris Paul playing 40 minutes a game.
Speaking of Chris Paul, the Hornets had to endure a weak trade demand from him this summer, but fortunately stood strong. Paul isn't dealing from a position of power, as he has two years left on his contract which gives the Hornets plenty of time to try to convince him to stay. Unfortunately from the moves the Hornets have made so far, I don't know if they have the financial capability to make these kind of moves.
The Hornets frontcourt was one of the most porous defensively last year, and they didn't really improve in this regard in the offseason either. Ariza and Pondexter should improve the defense on the perimeter, but everywhere else the Hornets are weak defensively. This will be problem against a lot of teams.
Still, the Hornets with a healthy Paul should never be counted out. It was just a year ago that Paul had a PER of over 30 (this is in the ridiculous range, especially for a PG), and in my opinion he remains the best point guard in the game. With Paul, Thornton, Ariza (who won't have to shoulder the load like he did in Houston) and West, the Hornets don't lack for offensive options. The Hornets should finally have some flexibility after this year as well, with Stojakovic's big contract coming off the books. Overall, I think the Hornets will definitely be in the running for one of the lower rung playoff spots in the West (7th or 8th) barring injury.
Projected Win Range: 40-50
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