Hornets Offseason Thread

Well it shouldn't be a very eventful offseason for the Hornets.  I think they're great as presently constructed and should simply build on this frame instead of making drastic alterations to it.  Let Bonzi Wells leave immediately, lock up Chris Paul long term, and lock up Byron Scott long term.

They need to find a way to add a hustling big man to compliment Hilton Armstrong (we can find him at 27.  Sorry, Melvin Ely, but you have to go).  Find a good swingman to come off of the bench (Josh Childress would be a great fit).  Try your best to move Mike James, but if you can't let Jannero Pargo go (which would suck) and simply promote James into his role. 

This team doesn't need to make changes to the starting five and just needs to bolster up the bench.  But most importantly Bower needs to keep this team together! 

Byron Scott agreed in principle on Wednesday to a two-year contract extension to remain as the Hornets' head coach.

Scott had until Wednesday to accept or reject the Hornets' latest extension offer and through his agent, Brian McInerney, he was leaning toward remaining with the franchise.

Scott's contract extension is expected to place him among the six highest-paid coaches in the league, estimated at nearly $6 million annually. The Hornets have scheduled a news conference to announce the agreement next Wednesday.

The Hornets made their initial offer last Wednesday, so today is the seventh day. If Scott had rejected the offer today, he would have been allowed to enter contract discussions with other teams.

Contract negotiations between Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower and McInerney have been ongoing since Thursday. Scott arrived in Orlando, Fla., for the NBA Pre-Draft camp Tuesday with Bower to begin evaluating prospects for next month's draft.

"We are a very fortunate organization to have Coach Scott leading our team and he has done an outstanding job with us," said Hornets Owner George Shinn. "Obviously, I wanted to get this contract done as soon as we could and we were able to accomplish that. I told Coach Scott when he became our head coach four years ago that I want him to retire as a Hornet and this is another step in that direction."

Scott's current deal expired after the Hornets were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in seven games in the Western Conference semifinals, although a non-guaranteed option year remained for the 2008-09 season.

If Scott had decided to reject the Hornets' offer, he would had to pay the Hornets just more than $2 million to opt out of his contract in order to take a coaching job with another franchise.

After locking up Scott now doing the same with Paul is priority #1.  After that, it has got to be getting a true SG who can put up consistent big numbers.  Mo Pete's 9 ppg is not going to get it done.  That would move Mo to the bench, bolstering said bench.  Definately keep Pargo, he was the only consistent bench player all year.  Julian Wright should definately be better next year, yet another upgrade to the bench. 

As far as Bonzi goes, I would love to keep him, but he is simply far to inconsistent,  Other than his rebounding and post up play I don't see him being worth much more than a small 1 or 2 year contract.  Despite his failings if we can keep him fairly cheaply I would like to see him stay.

I'm not sure how much more help we need inside.  If Anderson, after getting some playing time, can basically play TC's role in the second unit as defender/rebounder and Armstrong play DW's role as post up scorer/defender then we should be good.

So if Armstrong, Anderson, and Wright step it up we shouldn't need much else other than a SG capable of dropping 20-30 on any given night. (Doesn't need to average that much.)  That gives us Paul, #2 guard, Stojakavic, West, Chandler in starting lineup.  Then off the bench Pargo, Mo Pete, Wright, Armstrong, Anderson. 

Not too shabby to start off with, provided we can get that scorer we need.  (Corey Maggette maybe?)

We can afford it, David West (and I hate myself for bringing this reference as it is from a CBS sportswriter who has deadlines, looking for shock value, etc.)  has to be one of the best bargains in league.  After giving CP a max contract and locking Byron if we somehow get Maggete or at least a proficient scorer (opposite the Saints we need offense) we could do like I said and be every bit in the top 4 in the West next year.  Not sure about other people's availabitity other than Maggette but I'm just tossing some names out there that would fit. 

Mike Miller,  not ideal as he is not Byron's type of athletic player but can shoot lights out if left open.

Maggete, already mentioned but proned to injury.

Vince Carter, can we dare to dream???  Doubtful that he's leaving NJ but just a thought.

The draft:  My personal favorite in the draft is Chris Lofton of Tennessee, (not sure how healthy he is), but as I said last season before he decided to stay in school my personal pick at our current draft slot.  Has range, decent size, leadership, and led teams a couple rounds into the tournament with sub-par talent around him.