2006-2007 Finish: 42-40

What went well

Everyone loves a Cinderella story and the New Orleans Hornets provided the Katrina-ravaged city something to be cheer for with the team's miraculous season.

Since the inception of the league, the Hornets have been one of the worst teams. In fact, their best season was 2005-2006 with a 35-47 finish. The locals love GM Daved who has slowly tried to improve the team since taking over three years ago and this season he finally delivered with the promise of bettering the Hornets. His first big move in the offseason was to send Ronnie Brewer to the Knicks for rookies Rajon Rondo and Rodney Carney.

The overhaul of the Hornets continued as John Salmons, Keith Bogans Jacque Vaughn and David Wesley walked away. Predrag Stojakovic signed a big contract, demanded a trade (which netted Mike Miller and Jason Collins) and didn't play this season. They also got town favorite Jeff Foster and Ike Diogu in from the Grizzlies (where GM Deckard fully expected the Hornets to suck again). Finally, the Hornets brought in some rag-tag free agents (Eric Piatkowski, Bobby Jackson, etc) and got ready for another season.

Flash to midway in the season and the Hornets had a respectable 20-19 record. When the Sixers dangled Morris Peterson and Desmond Mason in front of GM Daved, he figured he was in for another lottery and took on the expiring contracts for Foster and Miller.

Then something strange happened. The Hornets kept winning games. In fact, they finished with a winning record and went on to defeat the heavily-favored Phoenix Suns four games to two in the first round. Then they almost defeated the Mavericks in the semis but lost four games to three.

What didn't

Not too much went wrong for a team with such low expectations. The Hornets did they best they could and almost beat the NLL Champion Dallas Mavericks.

Star

- Andrew Bogut, C-

If there is anyone who can be the face of the Hornets, it would be Andrew Bogut. Selected first in the 2005 draft, Bogut has played solid ball for this club for two seasons. He completed the 2007 season with 12.9 points and 10.8 rebounds. Though he missed 20 games to injury, Bogut's presence in the paint really jumpstarted the Hornet resurgence. He is considered one of the up-and-coming centers in the league and the Hornets should build their franchise around him.

Goat

- Jason Collins, C –

Though the Heat got stuck with Peja, at least they no longer have this guy. Once a player with some serious potential (look at his early Nets stats), Collins has been plain awful since. This season he played in 70 games for the Hornets and averaged 2.8 points and 4.9 rebounds. He plays no offense and his defense is not as good as many other lesser paid centers in the league. He still has two more years on his contract.

Looking to the future

The Hornets will have some major changes coming after such a glorious season. It is likely three of their best players (Mason, Peterson and James Posey) will leave the team and test the free agency market. Almost $20 million is tied up in Jackson, Collins and Earl Watson alone. Lamar Odom will probably come back and seek a major payday.

So where do they stand? Bogut and Odom are both great. Watson should be able to start at point but may have blown his chance when GM Daved left him off the playoff roster. Rondo is still a big question mark and Diogu is not skilled or experienced enough to be starting. The Hornets will have to make some creative trades or sign some good free agents if they want to appear in the playoffs again next season. They were also a non-factor in the draft too. So what can be done? Package some of the expensive players with some guys with upside to get a more diverse team and cap relief? Move Odom for a handful of skilled rookies or lower-salaried players? The Insider predicts the Hornets will look like a different team when the season begins in November.