Former King, Maverick Peja Stojakovic Calls It A Career

By: Tyler Ward

Former Kings and Mavericks player Peja Stojakovic, one of the best sharpshooters in NBA history, has decided retire after a 13-year career in the NBA.

Stojakovic, 34, told ESPN.com on Monday that he decided to call it quits after a history of back and neck troubles that have plagued him over the last few seasons. The three-time All-Star won his first championship with the Mavericks last season and thought to end his career on a high-note.

"When you start competing against your body more than you're preparing for the actual game, it's a wakeup call," Stojakovic said.

He was a key component in the Mavericks' title run last season, scoring 15 and 21 points in home games against the Los Angeles Lakers, as the Mavericks swept the then-defending champions in the playoffs. In Dallas' Game 4 rout of the Lakers, the sharpshooter went 6-for-6 from beyond the arc, perhaps the best postseason performance of his career.

Stojakovic had a bitter rivalry with the Lakers throughout his career as the starting shooting guard of the Sacramento Kings. At the beginning of the 2000's, the Kings-Lakers rivalry was among the best in the NBA, successfully fueled by such players as Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Vlade Divac, Doug Christie, Rick Fox and Stojakovic.

Stojakovic was chosen with the 14th overall selection in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. He would not make his professional debut until the start of the 1998-99 season, averaging 8.4 points per game in his rookie season.

He would get better over the next few seasons, eventually landing in the starting lineup as the shooting guard, beginning in the 2000-01 season. In just his third season, Stojakovic averaged 20.4 points per game and in the following season, he set a then-career high in points per game with 21.2 per contest -- in that same year, he also became the first European player to win the Three-Point Shootout, annually held during All-Star Weekend. He would then go on to successfully defend his title the following year, becoming the fifth player to win at least two consecutive shootouts since it's inception -- Larry Bird, Craig Hodges, Mark Price and Jeff Hornacek are the others.

During the 2003-04 season, Stojakovic averaged a career-high 24.2 points per game, while also making the All-Star team. He also led the NBA in free-throw percentage (92.7%) for the first time in his career.

The following season, Stojakovic's stats started to decrease, as it would become the last season in his career that he averaged at least 20 points per game.

Just 31 games into the 2005-06 season, Stojakovic would get traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Ron Artest on Jan. 25, 2006. It was the first time that he would be traded, but it surely would not be the last.

He would finish out the season with the Pacers, playing in 40 games while averaging 19.5 points and a career-high 6.3 rebounds per game. Many thought that the Pacers would re-sign him, but instead he was dealt to the New Orleans Hornets on July 12, just a little over six months after he arrived in Indiana -- he was subsequently dealt for Andrew Betts, who has not played in an NBA game thus far.

Stojakovic would miss most of the 2006-07 season, playing in just thirteen games. However, in one of those thirteen games, Stojakovic became the first player in NBA history to score his team's first 20 points, as he accomplished that feat against the Charlotte Bobcats on Nov. 19, 2006.

The subsequent year, Stojakovic would have his best year as a Hornet, averaging 16.4 points per game and leading the NBA in free-throw percentage for the second time in his career (92.9%). He would go on to play just a little more than two seasons for the Hornets before being dealt to the Raptors along with Jerryd Bayless for David Andersen, Marcus Banks and Jarrett Jack on Nov. 20, 2010.

Stojakovic played just two games for the Raptors before being waived just two months after he was sent up north. Four days after being waived, he signed a one-year, $636,320 deal with the Dallas Mavericks and it couldn't have ended any better.

He would quickly become friends with Dirk Nowitzki, once a bitter National team rival over in Europe. Stojakovic, along with a team comprised with other veterans, would help the Mavericks win their first ever NBA Championship, defeating the Miami Heat in six games.

Dallas' defeat of the Heat was perhaps one of the best championship teams ever, as quite a few players won their first ever championship after playing in the NBA for ten or more years -- including Stojakovic, Shawn Marion, Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Brian Cardinal and DeShawn Stevenson. The team also consisted of Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood, both of whom were in their ninth year of professional basketball when they struck gold with the Mavericks.

Stojakovic's decision to retire from the NBA was not a surprise, however. After a stellar 13-year career, it was time to call it quits.

"Peja will go down as one of the great shooters in the history of the NBA. His success was the result of a tireless work ethic and an unquenchable desire to be the best at what he did. Peja's legacy, however, goes way beyond his 3-point skills and that elusive Finals title he won last season with the Dallas Mavericks," NBA commissioner David Stern said of the retirement. "Peja was part of the wave of international stars that helped introduce the world to the NBA game and inspired thousands of fans to begin playing the sport of basketball."

Stojakovic said in a statement released on Monday, "I feel so blessed to have been given the athletic gifts to play professional basketball. I have always loved the game and have great respect for it and I know the time is right to step away. I promised myself a long time ago, if it came to the point where my heart and body were not 100 percent committed, I would step away. I have reached that point and I know the time is right to retire."

"I want to thank the great fans in Sacramento, Indiana, New Orleans, and Dallas who supported me throughout the years. I also want to thank the Dallas Mavericks for believing in me this past season and for giving me the chance to end my NBA career with a championship," Stojakovic continued. "I look forward to taking some time to spend with my wife, Aleka, and my three children. I will slowly figure out the next steps in my life and determine what my second career will be. I'm sure I will stay involved in basketball in general and the NBA in particular."

Stojakovic averaged 17 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, while shooting 40.1 percent from beyond the arc and 45 percent from the field for the Kings, Pacers, Hornets, Raptors and Mavericks.

Report: Chris Paul To Clippers Deal Falls Through

By: Tyler Ward

Chris Paul just can't seem to catch a break. He cannot end up in Los Angeles, whether it be with the Lakers or the Clippers.

Sources close to the deal say that the league-owned Hornets were shot down by the Clippers, after it appeared that the Hornets were wanting too much for their All-Star point guard, who is arguably the best player at his position.

New Orleans was apparently asking the Clippers for Minnesota's unprotected first-round pick, point guard Eric Bledsoe, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and shooting guard Eric Gordon, one of the best up-and-coming players in the NBA, for Paul.

The Clippers thought of the deal to be "too steep", even after Paul told the Clippers that he would accept the option for the 2012-12 season, meaning that he would be with the team for at least two years before entering free agency, if he chose to do so.

Paul has recently expressed interest in playing with former No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin, who is widely considered to be one of the most prolific players in the NBA.

It was not immediately known if the Hornets and Clippers would still continue to try and make a deal, especially after the Lakers backed out almost a week ago of a possible re-submitted trade.

Last Thursday, commissioner David Stern vetoed a trade that would have sent Paul to the Lakers in exchange for Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol. The Hornets, in turn, would have sent Gasol to the Rockets for shooting guard Kevin Martin, power forward Luis Scola, point guard Goran Dragic and an unprotected first-round pick that the Rockets acquired from the Knicks.

The Hornets are currently owned by the league, after former owner David Shinn sold the team for an estimated $300 million in December 2010.

New Orleans is very persistent in trying to unload Paul, as they do not want to go through the same thing the Nuggets did last season when Carmelo Anthony wanted out. Denver ultimately dealt Anthony to the Knicks in the middle of the season, after the "saga" dragged on for quite a while. The Hornets are trying to avoid that and deal the point guard before the season begins on Christmas Day.

Orlando is also trying to do the same thing with Dwight Howard, one of the best players currently in the NBA. Although they have not officially come to a deal with any team, Howard has expressed his interest in leaving the team that he was drafted by in 2004. Rumors have circulated that Howard wants to go to the Nets and has requested a trade to the future Brooklyn-bound team. He has also been interested in playing with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles and it appears the Lakers could pursue him heavily, that being the reason they backed out of negotiations with the Hornets after Stern vetoed the deal.

It is very likely however, that neither Dwight Howard or Chris Paul will play a full season with their current team and both should be dealt before the trade deadline. Two questions remains for both of them: Where will they go and what will their current teams get for them?

Only time will tell.

Breaking News: Chris Paul To Lakers As Part Of 3-Team Deal

By: Tyler Ward

It was announced Thursday night that the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired perhaps the best point guard in basketball, Chris Paul in a three-team deal that includes the Houston Rockets and Paul's former team, the New Orleans Hornets.

The Lakers would send forward Lamar Odom to New Orleans and forward Pau Gasol to Houston. In turn, Houston would send point guard Goran Dragic, guard Kevin Martin, forward Luis Scola and a protected future first-round pick (formerly New York's) to New Orleans.

In six seasons with the Hornets, Paul has averaged 18.7 points and 9.9 assists per contest.

Paul's contract with New Orleans expired after this season and with his return doubtful, the Hornets had been fielding offers for the last few weeks, in hopes of getting something in return in a trade instead of him walking away, while they got nothing.

Paul is currently one of the best point guards in the NBA and is expected to sign an extension with the Lakers once the trade is finalized.

Last season, Paul averaged 15.8 points and 9.8 assists per game.

Now, the combination of Paul and Kobe Bryant will ultimately become one of the most formidable duos in the entire league. And not to mention, it increasingly helps the Lakers' chances in landing Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, who has also been shopped around as of late.

The Rockets, who receive former Grizzlie and Laker, Pau Gasol, recently lost former No. 1 overall pick Yao Ming to retirement, which left a humongous hole in the frontcourt.

So, in order for them to fill that gap, the Rockets dealt three players to the Hornets, in exchange for Gasol from the Lakers.

It turned out to be better for Gasol to end up in Houston because the Rockets actually wanted him and plan to keep Gasol, while New Orleans would have traded him again or let him walk once his contract was up.

From the Rockets' standpoint, it seems as though they are entering a re-building phase, as they give up two of their best players in Martin and Scola to acquire Gasol.

The Hornets had constantly stated that they wanted younger players if they were to deal Paul. The reason for that is that general manager Dell Demps wanted young talent that they could build around. It seems like a good deal for the Hornets, as they give up one great player for three solid players and a mid-first round selection that they acquired from Houston.

Now, all of a sudden, the Hornets have a pretty solid team that could help them climb the ladder in the Western Conference. With the trade of Paul, the Hornets' roster will now look like this: Odom, Scola, Martin, Dragic, Emeka Okafor, Trevor Ariza, Jarrett Jack and Quincy Pondexter.

If the Hornets are able to mesh, they could definitely make a run with the shortened schedule and could surprise some folks this upcoming season.

With the trade, the Hornets now have nine players under contract for the season and they will likely add some quality role players, just like the Heat did last season when they acquired LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

The trade seems to be a good fit for each team that was part of the deal.

Also, there are some losers in the trade. And those include the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, all of whom were trying to land Paul. It could also spell doom for the other Western Conference teams, as they will now have to deal with a Paul-Bryant combo.

Clearly, the Lakers just got a lot better and that is scary to think about.

Here's a quick breakdown of the trade:

- Houston Rockets receive: PF Pau Gasol
- Los Angeles Lakers receive: PG Chris Paul
- New Orleans Hornets receive: PG Goran Dragic, SG Kevin Martin, PF/C Luis Scola, F Lamar Odom, and a future protected first-round pick (From Houston via New York)

New Orleans Hornets Vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Game 1) 4/17/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Rapper Nicki Minaj Gives Hornets Star Chris Paul A Lap Dance (Video)

By: Tyler Ward

Wow, I would love to be in Chris Paul's shoes when this happened.

Rapper Nicki Minaj is currently on her "I Am Still Music" Tour, which made a stop in New Orleans a couple of nights ago.

Hornets superstar point guard Chris Paul was in attendance and was enticed to go up on-stage. He made a good decision.

Good things only ensued as soon as he stepped on the stage.

New Orleans Hornets Vs. Dallas Mavericks 4/13/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Utah Jazz Vs. New Orleans Hornets 4/11/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Darrell Arthur Slams Home One-Handed Alley-Oop

By: Stephen Patterson

New Orleans Hornets Vs. Memphis Grizzlies 4/10/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Congrats to the Grizzlies for thrashing the Hornets 111-89 and moving into a tie with them in the standings.

While New Orleans owns the tie breaker due to a better divisional record, they better keep an eye over their shoulders down there because Memphis is burning hot and could easily pass them if they drop one of their remaining games.

Do you think the Memphis Grizzlies could make some noise in the postseason this year?

Let us know below the video how many games you think they will win in the playoffs.

Phoenix Suns Vs. New Orleans Hornets 4/8/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Houston Rockets Vs. New Orleans Hornets 4/6/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Indiana Pacers Vs. New Orleans Hornets 4/3/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. New Orleans Hornets 4/1/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Portland Trail Blazers Vs. New Orleans Hornets 3/30/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

New Orleans Hornets Vs. Utah Jazz Highlights (March 24, 2011)

By: Tyler Ward

The overtime fever was still intact on Thursday night as the New Orleans Hornets took on the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

Despite winning the game, the Hornets' night may have ended bittersweet.

David West, a perpetual leader for the squad, injured his left knee on a late dunk and was forced to leave the game.

He was taken out of the game on a wheelchair after tying the game at 103 with a late game dunk.

West finished the night with 29 points, but he would not help the Hornets in overtime.

The game ended in regulation tied at 105 after Emeka Okafor banked in a shot before the buzzer. The Jazz seemed to have had the game in hand after Paul Millsap's two free throws put them up by two points with 1.3 seconds left in regulation.

Then it was Okafor's time to shine. The former UConn star banked it in to send the game into an extra period.

Monty Williams' scrappy Hornets battled in overtime, eventually pulling away and handing the Jerry Sloan-less Jazz their third loss in four games.

Reserve Aaron Gray played splendidly in the extra period, adding in six points, while star point guard Chris Paul added another five points.

Paul would finish the game with a double-double, posting 24 points and 12 assists. The Hornets moved the ball around, as Paul, West, and five other players scored in double digits.

Jarrett Jack ended the game with 15 points, Trevor Ariza and Marco Belinelli added 14, and Okafor finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds.

The Jazz got great contributions from Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, as both played great in the loss. Millsap finished with a game-high 33 points and a steady 11 rebounds. Jefferson also posted a double-double, posting 22 points and 13 rebounds.

It just wasn't enough to overcome the Hornets as the Jazz are slowly falling out of the playoff picture. The Jazz are currently 36-37, once being 14 games above the .500 mark. The Hornets are now 10 games above .500, showing a 41-31 record.

Four-Team Trade: Ariza To N.O., Collison To Indiana

By: Tyler Ward

In a rather surprising move on Wednesday, the biggest trade of the offseason occurred. Sources haven't confirmed if the trade has gone down, however.

In the proposed trade, the Pacers would receive point guard Darren Collison and small forward James Posey from the Hornets. The New Jersey Nets would acquire power forward Troy Murphy from the Pacers. Recent playoff hero Trevor Ariza would go from Houston to New Orleans. The Rockets would acquire shooting guard Courtney Lee from the Nets.

Collison

The Pacers would end up being the biggest winner in this deal - they finally get a point guard they desire in Collison and a defensive stud in Posey. General Manager Larry Bird had repeatedly stated that the Pacers needed a point guard, with A.J. Price being the starter at that point in time. Collison, entering his second season, will be handed the starting reins after a steller rookie campaign. While filling in for Chris Paul, Collison played admirably, averaging 12.4 points and 5.7 assists per game for the Hornets. In March, against the Golden State Warriors, Collison had the best game of his career thus far, dropping 16 points and 20 assists. The Pacers had expressed interest in acquiring such point guards like Ramon Sessions, Mike Conley, Jonny Flynn, and Eric Maynor, but everything fell through, which opened the door for the blockbuster trade.

Indiana also receives James Posey in the deal, who will likely back-up Danny Granger. He immediately adds depth to the Pacers, which consists of young talent like Granger, Roy Hibbert, and Paul George. It is not known if the Pacers will keep Posey or not, but if they do, it will definitely be a quality addition. With the acquisition of Posey, it means that Mike Dunleavy Jr's days in Indiana are closing - he had also been subject to trade rumors recently and will more than likely be dealt before the season.

Ariza

The Hornets receive journeyman Trevor Ariza in their part of the deal, his fifth team since his rookie season in 2004. He gained success after an improbable playoff performance for the Lakers in 2008. Prior to last season, Ariza signed a three-year/$18 million deal with the Rockets, but his stint in Texas didn't last long. He played in 72 games and averaged double-digit points (14.9) for the first time in his career. Primarily known as a defensive-minded player, Ariza looks to add valuable defense to the Hornets, who were tied for 21st in the league in opponent's points per game (102.7) last season. Like Collison, Ariza will probably be put into the starting role.

With the trade of Collison, this means that the Hornets will more than likely keep Chris Paul, who has also been subject to trade talks in the last few weeks. Paul, along with Marcus Thornton and Ariza, will form a solid backcourt.

New Jersey receives power forward Troy Murphy in the trade - Murphy, who has spent the last 3 1/2 seasons with Indiana, will be going to his third team since coming into the NBA in 2001. Although he can be considered a "poor shooter" for a big man, he has had five seasons where he has averaged a double-double for the entire year. His best season came in 2008-09 when he shot 47.5% from the field averaged 14.3 point and 11.8 rebounds per game.

Murphy is also in his last year of the 6-year/$58 million contract he signed prior to the 2005-06 season. Since he has an expiring contract, he could be a valuable trade chip at the trade deadline next season. Murphy will provide veteran leadership for the Nets, especially to Derrick Favors, the future of the newly-regimed franchise.

Lee

Houston probably got the worse end of the deal, as they only acquired young guard Courtney Lee. Although an up-and-coming shooting guard, Lee may not be starting material. They get rid of Ariza, who is scheduled to make $6.3 million this season. Lee is comparitively making $1.3 million in what can be considered a salary dump by the Rockets. Houston has already spent big money on Brad Miller, Luis Scola, and Kyle Lowry this offseason, so they had to get rid of a decent-sized contract. The ex-Net will probably become Kevin Martin's backup, with Shane Battier filling in for the recently-departed Ariza.

Overall, the Pacers got the best end of the deal. Houston seemed to get the worse part of the deal, with New Orleans also losing in the transaction.

In another deal on Wednesday, the Hornets traded small forward Julian Wright to the Toronto Raptors for guard/forward Marco Bellinelli. Wright, drafted with the the 13th pick by the Hornets in 2007, could be a possible backup to Sonny Weems or Leandro Barbosa - the Raptors are now in a rebuilding stage after they lost Chris Bosh this offseason. Bellinelli would probably receive rather small playing time with the Hornets and will not factor in to any of the Hornets' long-term solutions.

Chris Paul Wants Out Of New Orleans

By: Tyler Ward

New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul is looking for a new home. The teams he wants to join? The New York Knicks top the list, followed by Orlando, Dallas, and Portland in that order.

Paul, the 4th overall pick in 2005, has been one of the best point guards in the NBA ever since being drafted by New Orleans. If he does get out of Louisiana, whichever team he joins will not regret their decision. He has proven that he could play with the top point guards in the league like Steve Nash and Tony Parker.

The Hornets have scheduled a face-to-face meeting with Paul that will be on Monday. ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the Hornets will be represented by team president Hugh Weber, along with newly-signed general manager Dell Demps and head coach Monty Williams. Paul has told the Hornets that he wants a solid team around him and if they can't give it to him, he wants out of the Big Easy. It is a complicated scenario as the Hornets have huge contracts for this upcoming season like Emeka Okafor ($11.5 million), Peja Stojakovic ($15.3 million), David West ($8.2 million), and James Posey ($6.5 million). Paul is scheduled to make roughly $15 million this season. As of right now, the Hornets are expected to be the 10th highest paid team in the NBA, totaling at $68,762,118.

Okafor, the 2004 1st overall pick, hasn't really lived up to expectations, averaging 13.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. His stats are pretty decent, but he has no playoff experience and thus, it would be hard for the Hornets to depend on Okafor to lead them deep into the playoffs. Stojakovic is on the decline and hasn't really been the player he was when he played in Sacramento with Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, and Vlade Divac. Stojakovic, however, has stayed relatively healthy, missing 59 games in four full seasons with the Hornets. Ever since arriving in New Orleans in 2006, his points per game has steadily declined and he hasn't been the shooter that they've needed recently. David West is perhaps the second best player on the team and has been an All-Star twice (2007-08, 2008-09). The undersized West has been one of the best power forwards in the Western Conference recently, but he can't be that "go-to guy" that Paul so desperately needs.

This is pretty much the same scenario that surrounded LeBron James in Cleveland. James did not need role players, but he needed another superstar with playoff experience that could finally deliver Cleveland a championship. And as we all know, James left Cleveland earlier this month to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.

Paul, the former Wake Forest star, has proposed a list of his preferred destinations. He would like to go to New York, in hopes that he and Amare Stoudemire could lure Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony to the team and form their own version of the "Big Three". Anthony has one year left on his current contract and was offered a 3-year/$65 million contract by Denver a few weeks ago. He has not yet given a decision, which may play a major role in Anthony switching teams sometime soon.

The Knicks, who have been lackluster at best the past few seasons, have been major contributors to this year's frantic offseason. New York signed Amare Stoudemire to a 6-year/$100 million contract in July, when free agency officially began. They have also signed ex-Bobcat Raymond Felton to a three year deal, along with trading All-Star David Lee to Golden State, acquiring up-and-coming star Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, and Ronny Turiaf. With Mike D'Antoni at the coaching helm, they are definitely on the uprise of a rather stacked Eastern Conference. New York is Paul's top choice, but it is unclear if they have enough pieces to satisfy the Hornets.

Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks have also expressed interest in Paul. They may have the most desirable players for the Hornets, with trade pieces like Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Caron Butler, and maybe the newly-acquired Tyson Chandler. Although, it is unlikely that Chandler would be sent to New Orleans in a package deal because he has already spent a few seasons with the Hornets (and had his statistically best season ever in that stint.) Kidd, the ageless wonder, is on the decline of his career and having a player like Paul could give the Mavericks much needed depth at the position. The player most likely to be dealt is Marion, who hasn't played up to par recently and could have already worn out his welcome in Dallas after a somewhat average season.

Paul also listed Orlando as a possible destination and this could be where he fits in best. If they do acquire Paul, they will more than likely have to send Jameer Nelson to New Orleans in the deal. Vince Carter or Rashard Lewis would almost certainly have to be in the deal to match up deals - for the Hornets, Okafor would have to get traded, so it makes sense that they would do a Paul/Okafor for Nelson/Lewis deal. The Magic could also send Marcin Gortat to the Hornets, who signed a 5-year/$32 million deal with Orlando last fall. If Paul does go to Orlando, they could have one of the best 1-2 punches in the NBA with him and perennial All-Star Dwight Howard. The Magic could also challenge a team like the Miami Heat in the conference, who many are considering to be a "lock" to go to the Finals this year.

Personally, I would like to see Paul end up in Portland, his fourth team on the list. The Blazers would more than likely keep Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge and along with Paul, the Blazers could actually get out of the first round in the playoffs. Portland could send an expiring contract like Joel Przybilla to the Hornets or they could send Andre Miller to New Orleans to solidify their point guard problem. Camby could also be dealt, but it is unlikely, as he has expressed interest in staying with the Blazers. They have pretty much been a playoff lock the past few seasons, but have had back-to-back first round exits the last two seasons. Having a player like Chris Paul would give the Blazers a very talented point guard who can distribute the ball and be an accurate shooter.

Paul missed 37 games last season, with rookie Darren Collison taking over for him. In his absence, Collison was spectacular, averaging about 19 points and 9 assists per game. This make Paul expendable, as it seems Collison can be a very valuable point guard in a tough Western Conference. With a team that hasn't proved their committed to winning, it makes Paul's exit seem very forseeable. His demands come immediately after the Hornets completely overhauled their front office and coaching positions. They parted ways with general manager Jeff Bower, who in addition to being GM, was the head coach for a brief period of time last season. On Wednesday, they announced that they had hired former San Antonio Spurs front office member Dell Demps as their general manager to replace Bower. After relieving Byron Scott of his coaching duties last season, they hired Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams to be their new leading man. Williams, 38, is now the youngest coach in the NBA.

It appears that the Hornets are now in some sort of a rebuilding phase that Paul wants no part of. It is more than likely that he will get traded, but the main question still remains - where will he go? The Knicks are also in the same phase as the Hornets, but they have gotten better. If he goes to a team like Orlando or Dallas, he can contend for a championship and hopefully get his first title ever. In the end, I think he will either end up in New York or Orlando, and he will instantly provide something great to a franchise.

For his career, Paul is averaging 19.3 points, 10 assists, and 2.4 steals per game.

Hornets Part Ways With GM Jeff Bower

By: Tyler Ward

Hornets Team President Hugh Weber informed that the Hornets and GM Jeff Bower have mutually agreed to part ways. 

Weber released a statement this afternoon, saying, "We feel it is in the best interest for us and Jeff to part ways at this time. Our search for a new general manager is already underway. We will target basketball minds that are highly respected in the basketball circles and someone that will help in our pursuit of building a championship team."

A search for Bower's replacement is now under way, but since it just happened, there are no current candidates to take over for Bower. He was at the Hornets' summer league game today, but left without saying a word and did not talk to any media personnel.

Bower had spent the previous 14 seasons with the Hornets organization, ranging anywhere from scouting to coaching and front office positions. He served as the team's general manager from 2001-03, and was given the position again before the 2005-06 season. Ex-Hornets coach Byron Scott was fired after 9 games last season and was relieved of his duties by Bower. He didn't fare that well either, as he led the Hornets to a subpar 34-39 record for the remainder of the season. 

Hornets owner George Shinn said in a statement today, "I want to thank Jeff for all his service for our organization. Gary Chouest and I have the necessary resources and will continue to do what it takes this summer to make our team better. Under the new leadership of Monty Williams, our team president Hugh Weber and our new general manager we feel very positive about our future as an organization."

It is unclear if Bower will take any other job if a team offers him one.

NBA's Saturday Roundup

By: Tyler Ward

Here's a roundup of what happened in the NBA on Saturday.

- Golden State signs SF Dorell Wright to a 3-year/$11 million contract

The Warriors agreed to a deal with former Miami Heat forward, Dorell Wright, earlier today. 

Golden State was in need of a small forward, as they traded Corey Maggette, Kelenna Azubuike, and Anthony Randolph this summer. As of right now, he may be the starter because the Warriors have no "real" small forward under contract for next season.

Warriors GM Larry Riley promised the Warriors fans that he would bring in a small forward this offseason, albeit not the best one. However, he did deliver on his promise and brings a young player to an even younger Warriors team.

Dorell Wright came straight out of high school to the NBA and was drafted 19th overall by the Miami Heat in 2004. He is mostly known as a defensive stud than for his offensive capabilities. But, he has played somewhat sparingly in his first six seasons, playing in only 211 games (19.5 MPG). He has career averages of 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

- Portland signs SG Wesley Matthews to a 5-year/$34 million offer sheet

Lance Young, Matthew's agent, told Yahoo Sports today that the Trail Blazers have signed Wesley Matthews to an offer sheet - Utah has seven days to match the offer.

Matthews' deal is somewhat overwhelming because no one expected an undrafted rookie from last year to get a deal this big. Portland has Brandon Roy as their starter and drafted Memphis G Elliot Williams, so this move is somewhat questionable. The Blazers are now stacked at shooting guard and he will more than likely back-up All-Star Brandon Roy. 

The Jazz signed the former Marquette star to a league-minimum 1-year/$457,588 contract last season. Last year's #1 overall pick, Blake Griffin, is scheduled to make $5.3 million this year, and Matthews could be earning more than him this year. He can earn more than eight times what he made last year for the upcoming season alone. 

Matthews started 48 games for the Jazz last season, averaging 9.4 points per game. In ten playoff games, he upped his average to by almost four points, and finished averaging 13.2 points in those games. He is expected to be a good scorer off the bench for Portland if Utah doesn't match the offer sheet.

- Chicago signs SG J.J. Redick to a 3-year/$20 million offer sheet

One day after signing sharpshooter, Kyle Korver, the Bulls are going after another in J.J. Redick. Chicago was a horrible three-point shooting team last year, and they are hoping they can bring Redick to strengthen that need.

That Magic are not sure they want to match it, as Orlando GM Otis Smith said they will take the full seven days to decide. Redick made a little over $2.8 million last season, and is expected to make somewhere between $5-6 million this season. Orlando only has one "true" shooting guard on the roster in Vince Carter. Other than that, they are pretty thin at that position, but they would probably be able to play Mickael Pietrus at the two-guard if they don't re-sign Redick. 

Redick is mostly known for his three point shooting, as he has shot a career average of .392 from long range. Statistically, his best season was last year when he shot 40.5% beyond the arc and made a career high 111 three-pointers.

In 2006, Redick was taken by the Magic with the 11th overall pick. He helped the Magic reach the previous two Eastern Conference Finals, making the NBA Finals for one of those seasons. He has been primarily used as a backup, only starting 14 times in 4 seasons. Redick has a career average of 7 points per game.

- New Jersey signs C Johan Petro to a 3-year/$10 million contract

In one of the most lesser known signings of the day, the Nets signed ex-Nugget Johan Petro to a three year deal. Petro will probably battle former Duke big man, Brian Zoubek, for the backup position to Brook Lopez.

He was drafted by the Seattle Sonics in 2005 out of France. He spent three seasons in Seattle before the team moved to Oklahoma City. He played about half the season there before being traded to the Denver Nuggets. 

Standing at 7'0", Petro is a defensive presence and a quality shot blocker. He really has no offensive game as of right now, but he is slowly getting better throughout the last few seasons. If he beats out Zoubek, he could get some decent minutes, especially if New Jersey decides to trade Kris Humphries.

- New Jersey signs SG Anthony Morrow to a 3-year/$12 million offer sheet

The Nets also announced today that they signed Anthony Morrow to an offer sheet. Yahoo Sports reported earlier that the Warriors do not intend to match, clearing the path for Morrow to join a young Nets team. 

New Jersey is also thin at the two-guard position, with Courtney Lee being the only one officially signed for next season. Morrow will probably back up Lee and he can provide a nice spark off the bench. He is mostly known for being an explosive scorer, even dropping 37 points in his fourth career game against a lowly Clippers squad (08-09). He was signed by the Warriors for a minimum deal after he didn't get drafted out of the small university, Georgia Insitute of Technology.

This is a nice signing by New Jersey, as the Blazers just signed Wes Matthews to a 5-year/$34 million offer sheet when Morrow has statistically put up better numbers than Matthews. Morrow may be a front runner for the Sixth Man of the Year award, as he has put up superb numbers off the bench throughout his young career.

- New Orleans signs SG Luther Head to a 2-year/$2.3 million contract

This was also a lesser known deal that happened today, as ex-Illinois star, Luther Head, signed a tw-year deal with the New Orleans Hornets.

Head will likely not get much playing time, as he will be playing behind guards like Chris Paul, Darren Collison, and Marcus Thornton. 

He was chosen 24th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2005 draft. Head spent a little more than three seasons with Houston before being dealt to the Heat in the middle of the season. He then was acquired by the Indiana Pacers before last season, starting 10 games. Head has averaged 8.5 points per game in his career.

Nets, Hornets Interested In Dumars

By: Stephen Patterson

There have been multiple reports that Detroit's Joe Dumars is near the top of New Jersey's list for possible replacements when Rod Thorn leaves on July 15. New Orlean's GM Jeff Bower is also rumored to be on the list New Jersey has interest in. Dumars said today that he has no interest in the job, but he'd be borderline foolish not to consider it.

With the Detroit Pistons possibly being sold in the near future, the financial future of the franchise comes into serious question. Will the owner be a free-spending, carefree guy that just wants a winner? Does the potential new owner have a strong enough desire to win? Depending on the answers to some of these questions, Dumars may be finding himself under plenty of restrictions on what he can do in the very new future.

If he were to go to the New Jersey Nets, those questions have already been answered. Their new owner will spend any amount of money it takes to win a championship. He has also already told Nets fans he expects a title within the next five years. If Dumars were to make the move, he would be able to do virtually whatever he wanted. While he would probably have to verify moves with Prokhorov or his associates, but he would never have to worry about money being an issue.

The Nets are meeting with Bowers today, but if they really want the best guy, they might want to wait a bit before making an offer. While Bowers has done pretty well with the Hornets, he has overpaid for guys that haven't been close to worth the money. He's also made poor trade decisions in the past. The most notable was trading superstar Chris Paul's best friend Tyson Chandler for an overpaid and under achieving Emeka Okafor.

If they offer the job to Bowers and he takes it, look for New Orleans to make a very strong push for Dumars to join the Hornets. Dumars is a Louisiana native and would likely jump on the opportunity. While going home might be a good thing, going to a team that has an owner trying to dump money and talent over a team trying to spend every dollar possible to win a title is just bad business.