NLL Insider - Team by Team: New Orleans Hornetsby dazman32, updated on Thursday, September 12 2013, 05:14 pm EST 2012-2013 Finish: 43-39
Season Highlight
Season Lowlight
Matched up against the number two seeded Dallas Mavericks, the Hornets were blown away in five games, ending their fairytale season. The young Hornets just had no answers for Carmelo Anthony and his experienced team mates. Losing to the Mavericks didn’t turn out to be that bad however, with the Mavericks going on to carve their way through the West all the way to the NLL finals.
Best Trade
The Milwaukee Bucks send Nikola Vucevic and Greg
Smith to the New Orleans
Hornets. The Milwaukee Bucks send Raja
Bell to the Washington
Wizards. The New Orleans Hornets send Courtney
Lee to the Milwaukee Bucks. Normally Badwolf of the evil empire talks his way into coming out ahead in every deal. However this time, Jedi master Daved come out on top. While initially some thought Badwolf had done it again by obtaining Courtney Lee, some others including this writer correctly predicted the NBA breakout season of the 23 year old Swiss center, Nikola Vucevic. While Lee was no slouch and they had comparable NLL numbers. It’s not often that 23 year old center’s whom average a double double come along. And when his ratings catch up, Vucevic should be the Hornets starting center for a long time.
Worst Trade The New Orleans Hornets send DeMarre
Carroll and Jordan
Hamilton to the
Oklahoma City Thunder. The Oklahoma City Thunder send Corey
Brewer to the New
Orleans Hornets.
It was a little difficult to find the worst trade, as Daved did mostly good work at the trade table this year. However this one probably gets the nod. While Daved got the best player in Corey Brewer, dealing away Carroll and Hamilton seemed to affect the Hornets chemistry a little which had seen them win so many games earlier in the season. And as it seems that Corey Brewer will be testing free agency, this deal was probably the worst.
Other Notable Trades
At the start of the season this looked like a pretty good deal for the Hornets, however as the season wore on it became apparent that Mahinmi wasn’t really going to deliver on the hype that surrounded him while VT was shopping him around. Mahinmi is signed for another 3 years at 4 million, so hopefully he can still improve.
The New Orleans Hornets send Jason
Kidd to the Toronto
Raptors.
A sorry sight to see such a big name traded for such very little, but this appeared to be the going rate last season for veterans. With everyone enamoured with youth, and New Orleans already boasting a stacked back court with Dragic and Bledsoe, Toronto swooped in for Jason Kidd. As it turned out Kidd retired from the NLL with this stint in Toronto being his last.
Best FA Signing
Jamal Crawford signs
with the New Orleans Hornets for 4 years and $ 5,000,000. The Hornets really struck gold during last season’s free agency period, picking up guys like Goran Dragic and Nick Young. But the prize and quite possibly the best free agent signing by any team last season, was Jamal Crawford. The newly acquired Crawford went on to average an amazing 28 points and 4 rebounds per game. And with 3 years left, he was well worth the 0 gm points spent.
Worst FA Signing
Damion James signs with the New Orleans Hornets for 1 year and $ 473,604.
Really the only free agent signing that didn’t have a great impact. In fact, James had no impact and was released a month later.
Star
Jamal Crawford- 28 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game. Crawford was a free agent signing and boy what an impact he had. Crawford lead the team in scoring, all while coming off the bench in all but 12 games. And the best part was, Daved bid 0 gm points to win his signature.
Surprise
Dragic really had a great year for the Hornets in his 5th year as a pro. Starting every game, Dragic averaged career highs in most categories, and upped his scoring by 11 points per from last season.
Goat
Brought in during the trade period, Mahinmi never really got going despite being given a great opportunity to start in 62 games this season. He will need to improve to make his remaining 3 years at 4 million worthwhile.
Draft Report Card The Hornets had just one pick in this year’s draft, pick 17.
With that lone selection they nabbed Tim Hardaway Jr. Son of the former Golden State and Miami cult figure, Hardaway Jr. is a lot taller than his father, and is a shooting guard, not a point. Hardaway Jr. Is a readymade prospect who really knows how to score the basketball. He should learn a lot from a guy like Jamal Crawford.
Looking to the Future The Hornets enter the off-season with a new name and a very enviable position. The Pelicans, as they are now known, have 11 players under contract and about 20 million to throw around, a fantastic position to be in for this young franchise. I’m sure Daved would love nothing more than to have another free agency haul just like last season. And if he can put that salary cap room and gm points to good use, and surround this young list with some experienced talent, another playoff series beckons for this team. The future indeed appears bright for the Pelicans.
Upcoming Free Agents
Corey Brewer – Brought over in a mid season trade, Brewer didn’t really capitalise on the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to a playoff bound team. It appears he will look to test the free agency waters.
Josh Mc Roberts – McRoberts had little impact in 17 games. I’m sure
he would be happy to stay in New Orleans if the team will have him. Sam Young – Young also failed to have any sort of impact in 21 games this season. It is currently unclear if he will continue to have a career in the NLL.
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