New Orleans Pelicans Blog – Page 50 – NBA Blog

Hornets center Robin Lopez undergoes knee surgery

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that center Robin Lopez underwent successful surgery to correct a tear of his medial meniscus in his left knee.

Lopez was acquired July 27 along with forward Hakim Warrick and cash considerations from the Phoenix Suns. The 7’0’’ center averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds for the Suns last season in 14.0 minutes over 64 games.

The procedure was performed by Dr. El Attrache at the Kerlan Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles. Lopez is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp this fall.

Hornets sign guard Roger Mason

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed guard Roger Mason.

Mason, an eight-year NBA veteran, holds career averages of 6.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.1 minutes per game over 424 contests (88 starts). The 6’5’’ guard, originally selected 30th overall in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, averaged 5.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in 52 games for the Washington Wizards last season. The Hornets will be Mason’s sixth NBA franchise, with previous stops including the Bulls (2002-04), Toronto Raptors (2003-04), Washington Wizards (2006-08 and 2011-12), San Antonio Spurs (2008-10) and New York Knicks (2010-11).

The Washington, D.C. native has appeared in the playoffs in five of his eight seasons, playing in 24 games. Mason tied for the NBA-lead in games played (82) in 2008-09 and was 10th in three-point field goals made that same year (166).

Mason will wear #8 for New Orleans.

Hornets sign deal with WWL radio

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed a multi-year deal with Entercom Communications to broadcast all Hornets games live on WWL radio beginning with the upcoming 2012-13 season.

The broadcast team is anchored by Sean Kelley, who will begin his eighth season as the team’s play-by-play voice. Kelley will be joined by John DeShazier as he begins his first season as color analyst. DeShazier joins the broadcast team after working on the Times Picayune’s sports staff since 1992. Since the Hornets arrived in the Crescent City in 2002, DeShazier has been the primary columnist on Hornets and NBA related matters, including being featured on local and national radio and online interviews related to basketball in New Orleans.

The agreement, along with full game coverage, will include a post-game show, as well as a weekly Thursday night coach’s show with Hornets Head Coach Monty Williams hosted by Deshazier.

“We enjoy a great partnership with WWL radio and are thrilled that Hornets games will be broadcast on New Orleans’ leading radio station and become part of the great momentum we are enjoying this summer,” said Owner/Chairman of the Board Tom Benson. “WWL radio has long been the recognized leader in sports coverage. We couldn’t be happier about this partnership for Hornets basketball.”

“WWL radio, the News, Talk & Sports leader in the Gulf South, home of the New Orleans Saints and everything LSU, is proud to add New Orleans Hornets basketball to our lineup,” said Chris Claus, Vice President and General Manager of Entercom New Orleans. “The Hornets had the NBA’s best off-season and we are proud to have the opportunity to broadcast their games. Great new ownership, top draft picks, terrific free agent signings and smart trades have the entire region talking. We can’t wait to deliver Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers…exciting Hornets basketball to WWL listeners beginning Halloween night against San Antonio.”

In addition to using the power of WWL radio, Entercom will use its other amazing radio stations B-97, Magic 101.9, Bayou 95.7 and ESPN 1350am to market and promote Hornets basketball to the New Orleans metro and beyond.

“The announcement of WWL radio as our flagship radio station is another addition to the excitement surrounding our upcoming season,” said Owner/Vice Chairman Rita Benson LeBlanc. “With both Hornets and Saints games broadcasting on WWL radio, as well as extensive coverage of both teams, it truly is our city’s leading station in regards to New Orleans sports.”

Roger Mason Jr signing with Hornets

After attracting attention from the Wizards, New Orleans, Chicago, Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Lakers, among others, Mason eventually settled on the Hornets. He agreed to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum on Wednesday, effectively going from one former No. 1 pick from Kentucky (John Wall) to another (Anthony Davis).

“I’m excited. They told me from the start that they wanted me. They stayed in touch. They have a clear role for me, as far as me not just being a veteran leader, but a guy that can contribute on the court,” Mason said in a telephone interview. “I just love the direction the franchise is going. So I’m looking forward to heading down there.”

Mason, 31, will be surrounded by some familiar faces in New Orleans, having already worked with Hornets General Manager Dell Demps while the two were in San Antonio and with assistant general manager Tim Connelly, the former director of player personnel for the Wizards. He has also spoken with Hornets Coach Monty Williams, a District native, several times during the recruiting process.

— Reported by Michael Lee of the Washington Post (Blog)

Hornets rookie Austin Rivers has ankle surgery

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that guard Austin Rivers underwent successful surgery to clean up bone spurs in his right ankle.

The 10th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Rivers’ injury flared up during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas last week.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Brian McKeon in Boston. He’s expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp this fall.

Suns trade Robin Lopez, Hakim Warrick to Hornets in 3-team deal

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired center Robin Lopez, forward Hakim Warrick, and cash considerations from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for guard Jerome Dyson, center Brad Miller and two 2nd round picks (Brooklyn’s 2013 second round selection and Minnesota’s 2016 second round draft choice) as part of a three-team trade along with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Phoenix receives Brad Miller and Jerome Dyson from the Hornets as well as Wesley Johnson and a 1st round pick from Minnesota. Minnesota receives Brooklyn’s 2013 2nd round pick and their own 2016 2nd round pick from New Orleans.

“We are very excited about this trade that brings us two quality people and basketball players to help strengthen our foundation as a team,” Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said. “This move gives us a true center in Robin Lopez who brings youth and is a tough, inside rebounder. In Hakim, we get an experienced, versatile forward who will bring a veteran presence to our team.”

Lopez (7-0, 255), was drafted with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Suns. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds for the Suns last season in 14.0 minutes over 64 games. During the 2010-11 season, Lopez started 56 of 67 regular season games, averaging 6.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.8 minutes of action. In four NBA seasons in Phoenix, the Stanford product has career averages of 5.8 points, 3.3 rebounds in 14.4 minutes over 242 games (94 starts). The Fresno, California native enjoyed a two-year collegiate career at Stanford, averaging 8.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 67 career games for the Cardinal. Robin’s twin brother, Brook, plays for the New Jersey Nets.

Warrick, (6-9, 219), who was the 19TH overall of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, averaged 6.4 points and 2.6 rebounds for the Suns last season over 35 games. The versatile forward has played for four NBA teams (Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and Suns) over seven seasons, with career averages of 9.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 498 games (94 starts). The Philadelphia native starred for Syracuse University, playing four seasons for the Orange, averaging 15.4 points and 7.6 rebounds over 135 career games. Warrick also helped Syracuse capture their first-ever National Championship in 2003.

Dyson (6-3, 180), appeared in nine games (one start) for the Hornets last season. Miller (7-0, 261) and the two 2nd round picks were originally acquired by the Hornets on July 13 from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the Hornets’ protected 2017 second round pick. Miller, a 14-year NBA veteran with the Bulls, Pacers, Kings, Rockets and Timberwolves began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Hornets on January 21, 1999.

Suns will send Robin Lopez, Hakim Warrick to Hornets

The Hornets, Suns and Timberwolves have agreed to a multiplayer trade sending 7-foot center Robin Lopez and forward Hakim Warrick from Phoenix to New Orleans, while moving forward Wesley Johnson and a first-round draft pick from Minnesota to Phoenix, a person familiar with the deal said.

The person told The Associated Press about the trade on condition of anonymity Wednesday because it has not been announced pending the completion of some routine logistical matters.

The deal also sends guard Jerome Dyson and retiring center Brad Miller’s $5.1 million contract from New Orleans to Minnesota, allowing the Timberwolves to clear space under the NBA’s salary cap as they pursue free agents. Minnesota also will receive two second-round draft picks from New Orleans, while the Hornets will receive cash.

Minnesota general manager David Kahn declined to confirm the deal when asked about it on a conference call Wednesday, saying only that he is “not allowed to comment on anything that hasn’t been consummated.”

— Reported by the Associated Press

Austin Rivers has sore ankle, foot

New Orleans Hornets rookie guard Austin Rivers will not play in tonight’s summer league game against the Phoenix Suns because of a sore ankle and foot. Rivers said he expects to play Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Hornets are officially listing Rivers’ injury as lower leg soreness and said it’s just precautionary. In Monday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Rivers was knocked to the floor several times on drives to the basket.

“It’s just real sore and tender right now, nothing serious,” Rivers said after Wednesday’s shootaround.

— Reported by John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune

Ryan Hollins drawing interest from Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets have expressed interest in unrestricted free agent center Ryan Hollins, a 7-footer who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics last season, sources confirmed Tuesday.

The Hornets do not have a true center on their roster although they acquired 14-year veteran Brad Miller in a trade last week from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Miller is not expected to be on Hornets’ active roster this upcoming season because he plans to retire.

— Reported by John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune

Hornets match Suns offer, re-sign Eric Gordon

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have matched the Phoenix Suns’ offer to restricted free agent Eric Gordon. According to multiple reports, the deal is for four years, $58 million.

“We are pleased to announce that we have matched the offer sheet for Eric Gordon. Eric is a phenomenal player that we are thrilled to have in our organization”, said Hornets General Manager Dell Demps. “We thank Tom and Gayle Benson for making this possible with their commitment to the team, our fans and the New Orleans Community.”

“There is always a business element to the NBA when dealing with contracts but I never lost my appreciation for the New Orleans fans,” said Gordon. “I look forward to giving my very best on the court this season to make our team successful.”

Last year in his first season with the Hornets, Gordon averaged a team-leading 20.6 points in addition to 3.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in nine games (all starts) while shooting 45.0% from the field. The Hornets were 6-3 when Gordon played this season and he led the team in scoring in all but one of those contests.

InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner says: Gordon really hoped to start a new life on the Suns, and was hoping the Hornets would not match the offer, but I think he’s better off in New Orleans. Austin Rivers, Anthony Davis, Gordon, and Ryan Anderson are a nice start, and with a few more pieces they may have a nice squad in a season or two.