New Orleans Pelicans Blog – Page 57 – NBA Blog

Hornets guard Eric Gordon likely out 2-3 weeks to rest knee

Hornets guard Eric Gordon suffered right knee swelling following Wednesday night’s game with the 76ers. Gordon missed the previous four contests prior to the Philadelphia game after he initially bruised the right knee in the second half of the team’s opening night game in Phoenix.

Team doctors have recommended rest for the 22-year old guard’s right knee and he will be sidelined an estimated 2-3 weeks.

Gordon has played just two games for the Hornets so far this season, averaging 21.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.

The Hornets currently have a 2-4 record.

Sixers trade Marreese Speights to Grizzlies in 3-team deal

The Memphis Grizzlies acquired forward/center Marreese Speights from the Philadelphia 76ers as part of a three-team trade also including the New Orleans Hornets, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

As part of the deal, Memphis traded guard Xavier Henry to New Orleans and a 2012 second round draft pick to Philadelphia. The Hornets also sent a future second round pick to the 76ers.

Speights (6-11, 245) comes to the Grizzlies with career averages of 7.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.53 blocks on .492 shooting in 14.7 minutes in 205 games (four starts) over his first three seasons in Philadelphia (2007-10). He has not appeared in Philadelphia’s first four games of the 2011-12 season.

The 24-year-old averaged career highs in scoring (8.6 points) and rebounding (4.1) in 16.4 minutes during the 2009-10 season.

A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Speights was a member of the Florida Gators’ 2007 NCAA Championship Team, setting a school freshman record by shooting .671 from the field that season. He averaged 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds on .624 shooting as a sophomore before being selected in the first round (16th overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft.

Henry (6-6, 220) averaged 4.3 points and 1.0 rebounds on .406 shooting in 38 games (16 starts) for the Grizzlies as a rookie last season. The 20-year-old Kansas product has not appeared through Memphis’ first five games this season due to a right ankle sprain.

Grizzlies trade Xavier Henry to Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have acquired guard Xavier Henry from the Memphis Grizzlies for a 2013 second round pick.

“We are delighted to welcome Xavier to our team and the New Orleans community,” said Hornets General Manager Dell Demps. “We hope Xavier will develop into a good basketball player that will contribute to the success of the New Orleans Hornets this season and into the future.”

Henry (6-6, 220), is in his second NBA season after being selected 12th overall by the Grizzlies in the 2010 NBA Draft out of the University of Kansas. Last year, in 38 games (16 starts) for Memphis, Henry averaged 4.3 points and 1.0 rebounds in 13.9 minutes of action.

The 20-year-old from Oklahoma City played just one collegiate season at Kansas, becoming the first player in KU history to leave for the NBA after his freshman campaign, posting averages of 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 36 games. Henry was named to the 2010 All Big 12 Rookie Team and was a 2010 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Henry joins San Antonio Spurs’ point guard Tony Parker as the only current Belgium-born players in the NBA.

The Hornets roster now stands at 15.

New-look Hornets off to solid start

After a shortened training camp with nine new players, it was presumed Hornets Coach Monty Williams would need more time to fully implement his defensive principles. But Williams says his players are quick studies after going through extended video sessions and walk-throughs in practice. And they’re producing results.

The Hornets (2-0) are emerging as a tough-minded defensive team. In Wednesday’s night’s 97-78 victory against the Boston Celtics at the New Orleans Arena, New Orleans had 12 blocked shots.

In their season-opening 85-84 victory at Phoenix on Monday night, the Hornets limited the Suns to 39.5 percent shooting and 19 points in the fourth quarter.

It’s still early, but the Hornets are second in the NBA in fewest points allowed per game (81.0) and field-goal percentage allowed (38.4).

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

Hornets usher in new era with youthful roster

After trading four-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers and losing two-time All-Star forward David West in free agency to the Indiana Pacers, the New Orleans Hornets are ushering in a new era of building for the future around younger players. When the Hornets open the regular season Monday night against the Phoenix Suns, it will be the first time in seven seasons their roster won’t be built around a franchise player.

In the trade for Paul, New Orleans acquired shooting guard Eric Gordon, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and center Chris Kaman and Minnesota’s 2012 unprotected first-round pick from the Clippers.

“I think we’re excited to see what’s going to unfold over the next few seasons,’’ Hornets President Hugh Weber said. “As we’ve always said, we are taking a long view of this, and it’s not going to be built overnight. We said a year ago we were going to do it right and not cut corners. I think there is a kind of galvanized confidence among us that we’re definitely on the right path.’’

The Hornets are one of the youngest teams in the NBA, with no player on their roster older than 29. And Gordon, a potential star, is 22, despite entering his fourth season in the league.

— Via John Reid of the New Orleans Times Picayune

Hornets trade Quincy Pondexter to Grizzlies for Greivis Vasquez

The Memphis Grizzlies acquired guard/forward Quincy Pondexter from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for guard Greivis Vasquez, Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace announced today.

“We feel this is a trade that benefits both teams. We will miss Quincy and we thank him for his efforts, professionalism and work ethic,” said Hornets GM Dell Demps. “We are excited to add Greivis Vasquez to our team, organization and community. Greivis is an exciting, big guard that plays with a passion that we hope will thrill our fans at the Hive.”

Pondexter (6-6, 225) comes to Memphis after averaging 13.0 points and 8.5 rebounds in 33.0 minutes in two preseason games against the Grizzlies earlier this month, including a 14-point, 12-rebound performance on Dec. 21. The 23-year-old recorded 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds on .406 shooting in 11.1 minutes in 66 games (six starts) as a rookie with the Hornets last season.

A native of Fresno, Calif., Pondexter left the University of Washington as the school’s career leader in games played (136) and third all-time in scoring (1,786 points), averaging 19.3 points and 7.4 rebounds on .528 shooting in 36 games as a senior with the Huskies.

Originally selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round (26th overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft, Pondexter’s rights were acquired by New Orleans in a draft-night deal on June 24, 2010.

Vasquez (6-6, 211), who was drafted 28th overall by the Grizzlies in the 2010 NBA Draft, averaged 3.6 points and 2.2 assists in 12.3 minutes of action over 70 games (one start) for Memphis last season. In two preseason games this season, he averaged 4.5 points and 4.5 assists in 14.5 minutes of play. He is the first Venezuelan-born player ever selected in the NBA Draft and only the third Venezuelan to play in the NBA, joining Carl Herrera (1991-99) and Oscar Torres (2001-03). Vasquez was named the ACC Player of the Year and won the Bob Cousy Award as the best point guard in the nation in 2009-10 while at Maryland University. He is the only player in ACC history to record at least 2,000 points (2,171), 750 assists (772) and 600 rebounds (647) in a career.

New Orleans Hornets sign Gustavo Ayon

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed forward/center Gustavo Ayón. Contract details will be posted here later today.

“We are extremely excited about this signing,” said Hornets GM Dell Demps. “Gustavo is someone who we have had on our radar for a while and we believe he is going to be a great addition to our roster. He is a highly coveted international player and we look forward to working with him as he transitions into being an NBA player.”

Ayón (6-10, 250), averaged 15.9 points on 66 percent shooting while grabbing 8.2 rebounds per game this season over 10 games for Fuenlabrada of Spain. In the ACB league, which is considered the best domestic league outside of the NBA, he ranks 4th in points, 2nd in rebounds, 4th in defensive rebounds, 1st in offensive rebounds, 1st in two-point field goals and leads the league in index rating. Last season for Fuenlabrada, he averaged 10.8 points on 67 percent shooting and 6.3 rebounds over 22.6 minutes in 33 games. He was named the league’s “Best Newcomer” for his performance in 2010-11. During the 2010-11 season, Ayón started ahead of Bismack Biyombo, the 7th overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings.

“Although I had a lot of opportunities with other teams, I chose the Hornets because of my relationship with Dell, Monty and the staff of the team,” Ayón said. “When I visited New Orleans, I felt comfortable with the surroundings and really like the positive direction of the organization.”

Ayón, a Mexico native, grew up playing basketball in his home country and contemplated attending San Jose State at the age of 20 but declined the opportunity to play basketball in Mexico. After leading his team, Halcones, to back-to-back Mexican titles in 2007-08 and 2008-09, at the age of 24, he signed with Fuenlabrada in Spain. In the summer of 2009, while playing for the Mexican National Team in the Americas Championship, he gained notoriety for collecting 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists in a head-to-head battle with Luis Scola of the Houston Rockets.

Ayón, born April 1, 1985 in Tepic, Mexico, is just the third Mexican-born NBA player in history. He joins Horacio Llamas, who played two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, and current Charlotte Bobcat Eduardo Nájera.

Mexico native Gustavo Ayon expected to sign with Hornets

Mexico native Gustavo Ayon, a player in Spain’s top professional league, has reportedly told media in Spain that he will be joining the New Orleans Hornets.

Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman says a press conference is scheduled on Friday to announce the addition of a new player, but he could not name the player, per team policy, because a contract has not been signed.

— Reported by Brett Martel of the Associated Press

Hornets re-sign Jason Smith

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have re-signed center-forward Jason Smith. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released. We’ll post details of the deal this evening.

“We are excited to have Jason back on our team this season,” Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said. “He provided us with solid play last season both off the bench and when he was called upon to start. He gives us depth in the frontcourt with his ability to play the center and power forward positions.”

Smith (7-0, 240) averaged 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.4 blocks with the Hornets last season in 77 games (six starts). In those six starts during the 2010-11 season, Smith averaged 9.3 points on 61 percent shooting and 3.7 rebounds over 21.8 minutes. Entering his fourth season in the NBA, Smith has career averages of 4.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.5 blocks over 209 games (nine starts). The Colorado State product was originally acquired by the Hornets along with Willie Green on September 23, 2010 from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Darius Songaila and Craig Brackens.

Hornets re-sign forward Carl Landry

The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have re-signed forward Carl Landry. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released. We’ll post contract details this evening.

“Carl was a huge part of our success in making the playoffs last season and we couldn’t be more excited to have him back,” said Hornets GM Dell Demps. “Carl is a high character person that adds a scoring punch to our front court. We look forward to him being a huge part of our organization both on and off the court.”

Landry (6-9, 248), averaged 11.8 points on 53 percent shooting and 4.1 rebounds in 26.2 minutes of play over 23 games (10 starts) with the Hornets last season. The Purdue product was acquired by the Hornets in a mid-season trade with the Sacramento Kings for Marcus Thornton on February 23, 2011. Landry started the last 10 regular season games for the Hornets last season, averaging 14.9 points and 5.6 rebounds. Prior to the trade, he averaged 11.9 points and 4.8 rebounds in 53 games (16 starts) for the Kings in the 2010-11 season.

Originally drafted in the second round (31st overall) by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2007 NBA Draft and then traded on draft night to the Houston Rockets, Landry played two and a half seasons for the Rockets before being dealt to the Rockets midway through the 2009-10 season in a three-team, nine-player deal that sent Kevin Martin to the Rockets. Landry’s best season came in 2009-10, when he averaged career-highs of 16.8 points on 54 percent shooting, 5.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 30.9 minutes in 80 games (29 starts).