Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis were named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team on Tuesday. (Sam Forencich/Getty Images)

Damian Lillard, a unanimous vote for Rookie of the Year this season, was named on Tuesday to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, according to a press release from the NBA. The Trail Blazers guard, who became only the fourth player to unanimously win the Rookie of the Year award (Blake Griffin, David Robinson, Ralph Sampson), joins the Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal, New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis, Dion Waiters of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors’ Harrison Barnes, to round out the top five rookie performers this season.

The votes were cast by a panel comprised of the league’s 30 head coaches, who had to submit five players for the First Team and another five players for the All-Rookie Second Team. The coaches did not have to pick one player from each position and could not cast a vote for a player on their team.

The 2012-13 All-Rookie Second team is made up of Andre Drummond and Kyle Singler of the Detroit Pistons, Jonas Valanciunas from the Toronto Raptors, the Charlotte Bobcats’ Michael Kidd Gilchrist,  and Tyler Zeller of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving will return from a shoulder injury to play on Sunday night against the New Orleans Hornets, the team announced.

Irving has missed the team’s last eight games with an AC sprain of his left shoulder — suffered during a March 10 game against the Raptors — that was expected to sideline him for three-to-four weeks. He will sit out Monday’s game as a precaution as “he takes steps in his recovery,” the team said, according to NBA.com’s David Aldridge and the Associated Press’ Tom Withers.

The Cavs went just 1-7 in his absence and are currently on a seven-game losing streak.

Cavs announce Kyrie Irving (shoulder) cleared to play tonight against Hornets, will be held out of Monday's game as precaution.—
David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) March 31, 2013

#Cavs say Irving will not play in Atlanta tomorrow night as "he takes steps in his recovery."—
Tom Withers (@twithersAP) March 31, 2013

Irving has been the breakout player of the 2012-13 season, averaging 23.0 points and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 41.4 percent from three-point range. The 21-year-old was the first overall pick out of Duke in last year’s NBA draft.

But he has been unable to escape the injury bug, also missing time during the preseason with a broken hand and in November with a broken index finger.

Irving has played 49 games this season after playing 51 as a rookie — missing much of the last month with a similar right shoulder sprain — and just 11 in his lone season at Duke.

Hornets rookie Austin Rivers will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken hand. (Layne Murdoch Jr./NBA/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Hornets said Wednesday night rookie guard Austin Rivers will miss four to six weeks with a broken right hand.

Rivers broke the fourth metacarpal bone in his right hand in the Hornets’ 108-102 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, in which the team did not score in the final 6:22 of the game, blowing all of a 21-point lead they had in the final minute of the third quarter.

Rivers, the tenth overall selection in last year’s draft, is averaging 6.1 points and 2.1 assists per game for the Hornets (21-41). Rivers played 15 minutes against the Lakers and scored 10 points on 5-6 shooting.

New Orleans rookie Austin Rivers will miss 4-to-6 weeks with a broken hand, Hornets say.—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) March 07, 2013

Eric Gordon is being shopped by the Hornets. (Layne Murdoch Jr./Getty Images)

The New Orleans Hornets are shopping the oft-injured guard Eric Gordon despite matching an offer sheet for him during the offseason to retain the restricted free agent for four years and $58 million.

Gordon has missed half the season so far because of various injuries and is currently back on the bench because of more knee problems. In his 19 games this season, he is averaging 16.6 points on 40 percent shooting.

The Hornets have reportedly been telling teams that he is on the market, according to a tweet on Wednesday from ESPN’s Chris Broussard, but there aren’t any interested parties so far, with one day before the trade deadline, because of concerns about the longterm effects of his various injuries.

According to Hornets beat reporter John Reid for NOLA.com, the Hornets would be interested in dealing Gordon to the Golden State Warriors as part of a deal that would send second-year guard Klay Thompson to New Orleans, but the Warriors are reportedly not interested because they believe Thomspon is a budding star. So far this season, Thompson is averaging 16.4 points on 41 percent shooting to go along with 3.9 rebounds.

Sources: New Orleans has made Eric Gordon available for trade. Trade not likely though as clubs concerned about EG's health going forward.—
Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) February 20, 2013

The New Orleans Hornets released a new team name — Pelicans — and team marks. (NBA.com)

The New Orleans NBA franchise officially announced its change from the Hornets to the Pelicans and revealed new colors and logos on Thursday.

The team will finish the season as the Hornets before transitioning to the Pelicans for the 2013-14 season. New owner Tom Benson sought the name change after the team brought its Hornets nickname after relocating from Charlotte in 2002.

The pelican was selected primarily for its ties to the city and its status as the state bird of Louisiana, but also for its traits as a speedy, loyal protector.

“When we purchased the basketball team, it was a priority to change the name to reflect our culture, our community and our resolve. The Pelican does that,” said Owner Tom Benson. “Our region has been hard hit in recent years and the one thing that stands out is the resiliency and determination to comeback, to fight and overcome. The Pelican symbolizes that. The synergy of this name, this bird and the future of our state and region are intertwined and in three, five, ten years from now, it will be not only be a name of a sports franchise but it will also be the face of the continued recovery of our region. We will promote healthy habitats, not only for our youth but for our community, our coast and our wildlife. The Pelican name will do that. It is more than a name. It represents our way of life.”

The team released its new logo and markings on NBA.com. The Pelicans’ new colors — blue, gold and red — were taken from Louisiana’s state flag and the City of New Orleans flag. The Pelicans selected gold to share with Benson’s Saints of the NFL.

The New Orleans Hornets will officially switch their nickname to the “Pelicans” in an announcement Thursday, reports Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears on Twitter. The team plans to use the new name starting next season.

Hornets to announce new nickname of Pelicans, new logo tomorrow,source told Y! Sports.Pelicans is state bird, environmental symbol for state

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) January 23, 2013

Pelicans name and logo go used next season. Merchandise availability to be determined. Pelicans also old name of Nawlins minor league teams.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) January 23, 2013

The move had been expected since Yahoo! reported in early December that the team wanted to change its mascot to the Pelicans. Owner Tom Benson had previously said he wanted a new nickname that was more tied to the region. The Hornets nickname followed the franchise when it moved from Charlotte.

Spears reports the team’s colors will be blue, gold and red.

Hornets guard Eric Gordon is set to make his season debut tonight. (Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

The New Orleans Hornets placed shooting guard Eric Gordon on active list and he is expected to make his season debut against the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night, reports Yahoo! Sports.

Gordon was cleared for contact practice last week after undergoing knee surgery and had been rehabbing his right knee in Los Angeles since Nov. 7. A patella tendon disorder and bone bruise on his right knee required arthroscopic surgery and forced Gordon to miss all but nine games last season and the first 29 games of this season.

New Orleans is 6-23 this season and will be facing a Bobcats team that has lost 17 games in a row. The Hornets have lost 12 of their last 13 games.

“We’re going to put him in situations (during practice) and will evaluate him,” Hornets general manager Dell Demps  said last week. “It would not be smart to play him 48 minutes.”

Gordon has averaged 18.2 points a game in four NBA seasons.

Hornets have moved guard Eric Gordon to the active list and swingman Darius Miller to the inactive list for tonight's game versus Charlotte.—
Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) December 29, 2012

Eric Gordon has missed all but nine Hornets games in the last two seasons. (Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)

Hornets coach Monty Williams predicted shooting guard Eric Gordon would make his season debut Saturday against the Bobcats, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

A patella tendon disorder and bone bruise on his right knee that required arthroscopic surgery have forced Gordon to miss all but nine games last season and the first 27 games of this season.

Gordon’s right knee has been pain-free since Monday.

“If I had to guess it would be Saturday against Charlotte,’’ Williams said before Wednesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic. “A lot of that is me, and we want to make sure that we bring him back when he’s in a lot better shape. He’s spent so much time rehabbing and getting his quad stronger, but we have to make sure he’s in a good place before he comes back.’’

Gordon’s presence should immediately help the struggling Hornets who are one loss way from matching a franchise-record 12-game losing streak set in 1990.

“He changes the way we play with his ability to do a number of things,’’ Williams said of Gordon’s impending return. “Shooting the ball and attacking the basket and defending certain guys. It will take him not long to get back to the frame of mind that he needs to play and that’s always at a high level. But we want to make sure that he has the conditioning level that he needs to play well.”

Eric Gordon said he is “90 percent” sure he will play in a game before the end of the December. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Hornets’ Eric Gordon is expected to rejoin the team on Saturday and although General Manager Dell Demps wouldn’t estimate when he would play in a game, the shooting guard predicted he will make his season debut by the end of December.

Gordon said this week that he is “90 percent sure” that he will be in a game before the end of the year, according to John Reid of The Times-Picayune.

Demps said on Gordon’s return to game-shape, “he’s close but he’s not quite there yet.”

Gordon has yet to play this season because of recurring knee issues. He had been going through rehabilitation workouts with three different trainers in Los Angeles for the past month and said that he’s no longer experiencing any pain in his knee.

“Now, I’m in position to really get back with the team and really get things going as far as practicing and getting back to playing. [I]‘m more than 90 percent sure I’m going to play before this month is over. That’s what I’m striving for and I’m starting now to turn things up.”

The Hornets play the Spurs on Friday and then the Pacers on Saturday, so the team will likely get a day off on Sunday and Monday could be Gordon’s first full practice in more than two months.

The Hornets successfully kept Gordon, a restricted free agent, from signing a contract with Phoenix this offseason, matching the Suns’ offer of four-years, $58 million. He played in only nine games last season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee in February. When healthy, Gordon is one of the more potent scorers in the league among other shooting guards. In 56 appearances with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2010-11 season, he averaged 22.3 points on 45 percent shooting and 4.3 assists in 37 minutes per game.

New Orleans Hornets owner Tom Benson might change the team name to the Pelicans, or something else. (Layne Murdoch/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Rougarou?

The attorney who typically represents the NBA when it comes to brand names for the league has filed trademarks for five potential team names for the New Orleans Hornets next year.

The five potential names are the Pelicans, Bull Sharks, Swamp Dogs, Rougarou — a beast from Louisiana folklore — and Mosquitoes. The trademarks were filed on behalf of the New Orleans Hornets NBA Limited Partnership, according to KL Chouinard of BehindTheBuckPass.com.

The Pelicans seem to be the leading candidate for the name change, according to a report earlier in December from Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, who said the team is also considering Krewe and Brass for its name. The change could come as early as next season.

NBA commissioner David Stern said in December once the news broke that “if it works for them, it works for me.” He said he’s sure whatever the name will be, it will be a fine name.

If it works for them, it works for me,” Stern said. “I don’t have any objections to anything that the Hornets want to do name-wise because I’m sure it’ll be sensible. … I’m sure whatever it is, it’ll be good. If (Pelicans) is what it is, that’s fine. … I think everything sounds good. I think Lakers, have you seen any lakes in Los Angeles? There’s the same amount of lakes in L.A. as there is jazz in Utah, or grizzlies in Memphis. I’m out of that business. Whatever works for a team works for me.”

Perhaps what makes the most sense is for New Orleans to execute a name trade with the Jazz, the team in Utah, which is known as the beehive state.

Dominic McGuire has signed with the New Orleans Hornets. (J. Dennis/Einstein, Getty Images)

The New Orleans Hornets have signed journeyman small forward Dominic McGuire, the team announced on Sunday afternoon.

McGuire joins the Hornets having last played for the Toronto Raptors 2 1/2 weeks ago. He signed with the Raptors in the offseason, but was waived on November 30th to make room for the signing for shooting guard Mikael Pietrus. McGuire played in 15 games for the Raptors, starting nine, and averaging just over two points and three rebounds per game.

The Hornets will be McGuire’s sixth NBA team in as many seasons. The Fresno State product was drafted by the Washington Wizards in 2007 and subsequently played for the Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Bobcats, Golden State Warriors, and the Raptors.

Anthony Davis will return to the Hornets lineup Tuesday night after missing 11 games with a sprained ankle. (Gary Dineen/Getty Images)

Hornets forward/center  Anthony Davis will return to the lineup on Tuesday night against the Wizards, reports the Times-Picayune’s Jimmy Smith. Davis, who was the overall No. 1 draft pick last season, missed 11 games with a sprained ankle. In his six games prior to the injury, Davis was averaging 16 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 28.3 minutes.

The Hornets will also play Wednesday night in Oklahoma City, so coach Monty Williams may limit Davis’s minutes, but the team will welcome his return–the Hornets have the worst record in the West (5-14) and are last in the conference in total rebounds.

NBA number one overall draft pick Anthony Davis will miss his 10th consecutive game this season on Friday night. Davis’ ankle injury has kept him out of the game, although he is making progress and “getting closer” to a return, says head coach Monty Williams. He went through a walk-through with the team and did some practice drills with trainers recently, per Jen Hale.

#Hornets Anthony Davis running up & down court w/trainer today! Still no contact drills, but did participate in walk through w/starters.

—
Jennifer Hale (@JenHale504) December 07, 2012

Davis came out of the walking boot a few days ago, showing positive signs for recovery. Getting cleared for contact will be the last big hurdle for Davis before he can return to play.

Hornets guard Eric Gordon will miss more games due to a lingering knee injury. (Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images)

Hornets guard Eric Gordon told Yahoo! Sports he expects to miss 4-6 weeks due to a recurring knee injury.

Despite experiencing pain, Gordon was told he would not require surgery during a visit to a Chicago doctor on Thursday.

“The doctor could tell I was going through a lot of pain,” Gordon said. “But I know I can strengthen it during the four- to six-week time period and return. This was a big break. I’ve been dealing with this injury for a year. To hear that news was good to me because I thought it would be possibly worse.”

Gordon underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Feb. 14 and played in just nine games of the 2011-12 lockout-shortened season. During the offseason, the Hornets matched a five-year, $58 million contract offer sheet he signed with the Phoenix Suns.

He reported soreness in the knee after volunteer workouts with Hornets teammates, then missed the team’s training camp and preseason games.

The Hornets head coach has announced that Eric Gordon will be out indefinitely with recurring right knee trouble.

Monty Williams says Eric Gordon is out indefinitely.

—
WWL-TV Sports (@wwltvsports) October 31, 2012

The injured knee kept Gordon sidelined for all of training camp. Williams doesn’t expect Gordon to play until more is known about the knee issue.

“He probably does feel pain; that would be the only reason why a guy can’t play,” Williams said. “For me to try to read an MRI…I’ll find out more as we go forward. I try to not get into all that because that would just make me upset.”

Gordon is an essential piece for the Hornets, but he’s struggled to stay healthy. He will start this season sidelined, and played only nine games last season after being traded to the Hornets by the Clippers.

With Gordon sidelined, Roger Mason and rookie Austin Rivers will see increased minutes. Ryan Anderson and No. 1 draft pick Anthony Davis will be expected to carry a larger load offensively.

Austin Rivers sprained his right ankle in a preseason game tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. (Scott Cunningham, Getty Images)

The New Orleans Hornets’ injury problems just got a little more serious. Highly-touted rookie point guard Austin Rivers fell to the floor while scrambling for a loose ball in tonight’s preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks. Rivers left the court in a lot of pain, according to multiple media members at the game, and did not return to the court.

Now the verdict is in, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune: A sprained right ankle. Even more worrying for the Hornets is that this is not the first time Rivers has had problems with his right ankle – the guard had arthoscopic surgery to remove bone chips in the joint just after this year’s summer league in Las Vegas.

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and three other suspended players reportedly had those suspensions overturned by an appeals court. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

A three-member appeals panel overturned the player suspensions in the New Orleans Saints bounty case, reports SI.com.

The appeals panel vacated the suspensions of the so-called “Bounty 4″, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, free agent Anthony Hargrove, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and Saints defensive end Will Smith.

The suspensions are voided immediately and the NFL confirms the players are eligible to play beginning this weekend but Commissioner Roger Goodell can reconsider discipline, if he has evidence of a bounty scandal.

“Consistent with the panel’s decision, Commissioner Goodell will, as directed, make an expedited determination of the discipline imposed for violating the league’s pay-for-performance/bounty rule,” a statement from the NFL said. “Until that determination is made, the four players are reinstated and eligible to play starting this weekend.”

The court remanded the case back to NFL for a redetermination of appropriate penalties.

The NFL has no recourse, but can choose to file a lawsuit which they can attack of the arbitration.

The NFL suspended the player and Saints head coach Sean Payton, defensive coach Joe Vitt and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and Saints general manager Mickey Loomis for their alleged role in a pay-for-injure scheme. Payton, Vitt, Williams and Loomis are not affected by this ruling.

Victory is mine!!!! -stewie griffin—
Jonathan Vilma (@JonVilma51) September 07, 2012

Congratulations to our players and the Saints organization. A 3 judge panel UNANIMOUSLY overturned the bounty suspensions for players.—
Drew Brees (@drewbrees) September 07, 2012

Months after winning a national title with Kentucky, Anthony Davis set lofty goals for his rookie NBA season. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Anthony Davis has lofty goals for his inaugural season in the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets. He wants to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award and is aiming for an even bigger goal, too: Defensive Player of the Year.

Davis sat down recently for a Q&A with The New York Times’ Joe Brescia, where it became clear that the glow of winning a gold medal with Team USA had worn off on Davis.

From the Q&A:

Q. What part of your game do you want to improve?

A. I want to get stronger. Improve my ball-handling and become a better shooter.

Q.What do you want to accomplish in your first season in the N.B.A.?

A.Win rookie of the year. Make first-team all-rookie, first-team all-defense and defensive player of the year.

Davis has had quite a year — in addition to a gold medal, he also led Kentucky to a national championship. He will be part of a revamped young lineup that includes fellow Top 10 draft pick Austin Rivers and the re-signed guard Eric Gordon.

“Eric is a great player,” Davis told the Times. “One of the best in the league. He doesn’t get enough credit. He’s the whole package. Shoots and plays defense. We have to find the right pieces and approach the season as winners.”

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports that the latest sign-and-trade in the NBA appears to be close to completion:

Hornets, Suns, Wolves are nearing agreement on a 3-way deal that would send Robin Lopez to the Hornets in a sign-and-trade, sources tell Y!—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 24, 2012

Along with Lopez, Suns would send Hakim Warrick to Hornets. Minny would send Wesley Johnson and a 1st round pick to the Suns, sources say.—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 24, 2012

At least part of package back to Minny would include Brad Miller (his contract), Jerome Dyson and draft picks, sources say.—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 24, 2012

For Wolves, deal clears cap space and apparently is a prelude to another potential signing or deal, sources say.—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 25, 2012

Several league executives believe Minnesota is pursuing free agent Andrei Kirilenko. He's no longer considering Brooklyn, sources say.—
Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 25, 2012

Robin Lopez is the less talented of the Lopez twins, but he is still an athletic defender and rebounder. (He averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in just 14.0 minutes per game last season.) His presence would allow the Hornets to have a big body to pair with No. 1 pick Anthony Davis and give the team a stout back line of defense.

Hakim Warrick and Wesley Johnson — two former Syracuse Orangemen — have not met with much success in the NBA, hence the first-round pick obtained by the Suns could turn out to be the most valuable piece of this trade.

Wojnarowski first reported early Tuesday morning that the Hornets and Suns were trying to hash out a deal.

Magic forward and Mexico-native Gustavo Ayon will play against his former Hornets team in a preseason game in Mexico City. (Rocky Widney/Getty Images)

The NBA announced on Thursday that the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets will play a preseason game in Mexico City on Oct. 7, according to Philippe Moggio, NBA vice president, Latin America, in a report from NBA.com:

“As the most frequent international host for NBA games, Mexico will again provide a great showcase for the game of basketball as the New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic put on an exciting show for our passionate fans at the new Mexico City Arena.”

Mexico-native Gustavo Ayon, who averaged 5.9 points in 54 games for the Hornets last season, now plays for the Magic and will compete in the game for Orlando against his former team.

The league’s first game in Mexico City took place in 1992, when the Dallas Mavericks played the San Antonio Spurs. The city hosted a regular season game in 1997 when the Houston Rockets played the Dallas Mavericks.

Japan, England and Canada are the only other countries to host a regular season NBA game. The league has had a total of 107 games played outside of the U.S. and Canada, sending teams to 17 countries throughout Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Hornets restricted free agent Marco Belinelli reportedly has interest from several teams including the Knicks and Bulls. (Rocky Widner/Getty Images)

New Orleans Hornets restricted free agent Marco Belinelli reportedly has interest from the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors, according to a report from Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld.com:

[M[arco is looking at other teams.  The Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks have interest.

The report said that the Clippers had interest in the Italian guard but with the team expected to sign Suns free agent Grant Hill, it’s unlikely Belinelli would still be in their sights. Pincus reported that with the Bulls trade to send Kyle Korver to the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago could be in prime position to sign a crafty guard like Belinelli.

Belinelli, 26, had the best season of his career last year with the Hornets, averaging 11.8 points on 41-percent shooting in 29 minutes. He made $3.3 million last year and the Hornets will have three days to match any offer he receives.

“The Brow” meets “The Swoosh.”

According to sports business reporter Darren Rovell, the athletic apparel giant has signed the New Orleans Hornets’ Anthony Davis to an endorsement contract.

Nike has signed #1 draft pick Anthony Davis to a multi-year deal.

—
darren rovell (@darrenrovell) July 16, 2012

Terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.

Nike picked up Davis after outfitting him in his one season with the Kentucky Wildcats. According to Rovell, Davis is the seventh No. 1 overall pick to sign with Nike in the past decade. Only Dwight Howard (adidas), Derrick Rose (adidas) and John Wall (Reebok) did not sign with Nike.

The Hornets are expected to match the Suns’ contract offer to Eric Gordon on Saturday. (Harry How/Getty Images)

Despite protests from Eric Gordon, the Hornets are expected to match the Phoenix Suns’ four-year, $58 million offer sheet on Saturday to keep him in New Orleans, The Times-Picayune’s John Reid reported.

Gordon signed the maximum contract offer sheet with the Suns on Wednesday, the first day free agents could sign with teams. The Hornets have 72 hours to match, so they’ll have to do so on Saturday. By waiting for most of the 72 hours, the Hornets effectively blocked the Suns from chasing any other free agents.

Gordon has come out with strong opposition to the Hornets matching the offer, saying that his “heart” was in Phoenix and that he didn’t feel respected by the Hornets during the process. He said he’d be “disappointed” if the Hornets matched the offer, and that there was nothing the organization could do to change his mind.

The Hornets traded point guard Jarrett Jack this week, which should alleviate some of Gordon’s concerns about sharing time at shooting guard with draftee Austin Rivers.

Last Sunday, Hornets coach Monty Williams said that he was not upset at Gordon, saying he expected the controversy to “blow over” with time.

“I don’t take it seriously. What Eric said is not who he is. It’s unfortunate because people at home are pretty upset about it,” Williams told The Times Picayune on Sunday.

“Everywhere I go, somebody’s got something to say. What I would say is ‘Let’s understand how we were when we were 23.’ Give the kid some mercy. We still love him. We’re not upset with him. We understand the process. It’s unfortunate that it happened this way, but that’s just a part of it.”

In other New Orleans Hornets free agent news …

Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group reports that the Golden State Warriors are going after free-agent power forward Carl Landry, late of the Hornets.

A source tells Thompson that talks are progressing, but Golden State doesn’t have a lot of cap room to make Landry a substantial offer.

I'm told no deals are imminent. Remember, Landry made $8.5M last season. Market says he's going to take a pay cut. But how low will he go?—
Marcus Thompson (@gswscribe) July 13, 2012

Landry’s best season came in 2009-10, which he split between the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings. He was traded by the Kings to the Hornets in February 2011, and he averaged 12.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 41 games last season.

John Reid of the New Orleans Times Picayune reports that the Los Angeles Clippers have approached the New Orleans Hornets about a possible sign-and-trade for unrestricted free agent guard Marco Belinelli.

The Clippers are apparently willing to part ways with seven-year veteran power forward Ryan Gomes and a second-round pick in exchange for Belinelli, but sources say the Hornets don’t appear to be interested because of Gomes’ $4 million salary, although he would be in the final year of his deal this upcoming season.

Asked if the team was interested in bringing Belinelli back, Hornets general manager Dell Demps said, “I’m not a poker player, but I don’t want to show my hand.”

Belinelli started 55 games last season in place of an injured Eric Gordon and averaged 11.8 points.

The Golden State Warriors will receive New Orleans Hornets point guard Jarret Jack as part of the trade that sent the Warriors’ Dorell Wright to the Philadelphia 76ers, according to a tweet Wednesday afternoon from Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

The Sixers’ trade for Wright was reported on July 10, with the Warriors receiving Edin Bavcic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in return. Now, according to Stein, Bavcic is headed to New Orleans.

Jack made $5 million with the Hornets last year in what was considered to be the best season of his career, averaging 15.6 points and 6.3 assists in 34 minutes per game.

Wright made $3.8 million with the Warriors last season. His trade was initially seen as a way for the Warriors to clear up cap space, but it’s not clear whether that is the case anymore if the Warriors keep Jack for next season.

Warriors to get Jarrett Jack & Hornets only have to take back draft rights to Edin Bavcic (originally Philly-bound) to complete the trade—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 11, 2012

Eric Gordon ripped the Hornets for the way they have handled his free agency, but Hornets coach Monty Williams said the organization “still loves him.” (Harry How/Getty Images)

New Orleans Hornets coach Monty Williams said Sunday that he was not upset at Eric Gordon for some recent comments expressing his displeasure with the way the Hornets are handling his free agency.

“I don’t take it seriously. What Eric said is not who he is. It’s unfortunate because people at home are pretty upset about it,” Williams told The Times Picayune on Sunday.

“Everywhere I go, somebody’s got something to say. What I would say is ‘Let’s understand how we were when we were 23.’ Give the kid some mercy. We still love him. We’re not upset with him. We understand the process. It’s unfortunate that it happened this way, but that’s just a part of it.”

Gordon signed a maximum contract with the Phoenix Suns late Tuesday night. But the Hornets have the right to match the deal because Gordon is a restricted free agent. However, Gordon has said his “heart” was in Phoenix, and he told reporters in Las Vegas on Friday that he would be disappointed if the Hornets matched the offer.

“If (the Hornets) were interested, there wouldn’t have been no tour, there wouldn’t have been nothing,” Gordon said, according to The Times Picayune. “There’s been no negotiations. I was right there in Indiana. I haven’t received no calls, to me personally.”

But despite Gordon’s displeasure, the Hornets have repeatedly insisted they plan to match the Suns’ offer. They have three days to match starting July 11, when free agents can officially sign with teams. Williams, though, thinks Gordon’s sentiment will “blow over” with time.

“I did the same thing when I was that age,” said Williams, who played nine years in the NBA. “You want what your peers get. You want more and none of us are worth this kind of money. I try not to get much further than that. I think it’s unfortunate that it was played out this way. But I think it will blow over soon.”

Ryan Anderson will trade Magic blue for Hornets teal next season, according to reports. (Fernando Medina, Getty Images)

The New Orleans Hornets have acquired another piece of their 2012-2013 frontcourt, and the Orlando Magic continue to clean house. In a surprising move, the Hornets will add Magic power forward Ryan Anderson via a sign-and-trade with the Orlando Magic, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein on Twitter.

The move will add Anderson to a forward corps that includes 2012 #1 pick Anthony Davis, but few other notable names. Anderson was expected to stay with the Magic after averaging career-highs in every major statistical category – a jump that netted Anderson the NBA’s “Most Improved Player” award at the end of the season.Anderson shot 44% from the field, including a 39% mark from 3-point range, in addition to 7.7 rebounds per game.

UPDATE (3:23 p.m. ET) – SI’s Sam Amick reports via Twitter that the sign-and-trade deal for Anderson will send forward Gustavo Ayón to Orlando. A native of Mexico, Ayón enjoyed successful stints in the Mexican and Spanish basketball leagues before joining the Hornets last season. Ayón played in 54 games last season, starting 24 of them, averaging six points and four rebounds per game in that time.

Source says the sign and trade that will send Orlando restricted free-agent F Ryan Anderson to New Orleans for Gustavo Ayon is done.—
Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 08, 2012

I'm told New Orleans Hornets will acquire Ryan Anderson via sign-and-trade deal with Orlando. Deal is on verge of completion today—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 08, 2012

Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic reports that the Phoenix Suns and restricted free agent guard Eric Gordon have agreed to an offer sheet worth four years and $58 million.

In a prepared statement, Gordon said: “After visiting the Suns, the impression the organization made on me was incredible. Mr. [Robert] Sarver, Lon Babby, Lance Blanks, the front office staff and Coach [Alvin] Gentry run a first-class organization, and I strongly feel they are the right franchise for me. Phoenix is just where my heart is now.”

Gordon cannot sign the deal until July 11, and Coro writes that the New Orleans Hornets are expected to match it. A source told SI.com’s Sam Amick the same thing:

Source with knowledge of New Orleans' strategy says the team still plans to match despite his comments about wanting to be in Phoenix.—
Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 04, 2012

Gordon was the key piece acquired by the Hornets when they traded Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers, and they have repeatedly expressed a desire to keep Gordon in the fold. The Hornets believe that Gordon and 10th overall pick Austin Rivers can play in the same backcourt.

Goran Dragic and the Houston Rockets appear likely to part ways. (Bill Baptist/Getty Images)

The Houston Rockets and 26-year-old point guard Goran Dragic were “far apart” on terms of a new deal on Monday, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported.

After the Rockets originally expected a quick deal, they now appear likely to lose Dragic — one source close to the process told Stein that a deal was “not going to happen.” Dragic will now move on to visit the Phoenix Suns, the team that traded him to the Rockets at the 2011 deadline.

SI’s Sam Amick reported earlier Monday that a number of teams were interested in Dragic. From Amick’s report:

A source close to free-agent point guard Goran Dragic said the Raptors, Suns, Nets, Hornets, Lakers and Rockets have all expressed interest. The Rockets, for whom Dragic shined in the second half of last season, are said to be coming on the strongest. But Dragic, according to the source, has a serious interest in being part of a winning team and will consider that factor as much as the money. The source made it clear, however, that Dragic expects to be a starter for whichever team he joins.

Stein reported that Dragic is looking for an average salary of at least $10 million per year and that he wants to be a starter.

Dragic came on strong for the Rockets after this season’s All-Star break, when starter Kyle Lowry went down with an injury. He averaged 16.3 points and 7.3 assists after the All-Star break. Overall, he put up 11.7 points and 5.3 assists per game while starting 28 games.

Rashard Lewis, who averaged just under eight points a game this season was bought out by the Hornets, making him a free agent. (Barry Gossage/NBA/Getty Images)

Forward Rashard Lewis, recently traded from the Washington Wizards to the New Orleans Hornets, was bought out Saturday, saving the Hornets millions in cap space.

Lewis will automatically become a free agent when it starts on July 1. Players can not signs deal until the 11th. New Orleans traded for Lewis before the NBA Draft, sending Trevor Ariza and Emeka Okafor to the Wizards.

Lewis, a two-time All-Star, signed a six-year, $118 million contract with the Orlando Magic in 2007 and his scoring average has gone down each of the past five seasons. He averaged 7.8 points in 28 games last season.

Hornets, as expected, are waiving Rashard Lewis today to send Lewis to free agency. Buyout costs 'em nearly $14 mil but saves roughly $9 mil—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 30, 2012

The Phoenix Suns are preparing an offer for restricted free agent Eric Gordon. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Suns are preparing to make restricted free agent Eric Gordon a “large offer” with approximately $23 million in salary-cap space, The Arizona Republic’s Paul Coro reported Saturday.

The New Orleans Hornets, though, have already reportedly promised to match any offer for Gordon, even if it ends up being a maximum-level contract of five years and $80 million. If Gordon signed an offer sheet with the Suns, the Hornets would have three days to match it.

Coro breaks down why an offer could make sense for the Suns. If Gordon signs and the Hornets don’t match, the Suns would get a prolific wing scorer. If not, it would show fans they are committed to spending.

If Gordon was the choice and it failed, the Suns could be satisfied with showing the fan base a willingness to spend. They would still conserve the cap space for a trade taking on money in the summer or during the season — or 2013 free agency, when they would be interested in Oklahoma City shooting guard James Harden.

The Hornets acquired Gordon from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Chris Paul trade last December. Gordon averaged 20.6 points per game on 45 percent shooting. But he only played in nine games while battling knee and back injuries.

But despite his injury history, the Hornets see Gordon as a key part of their future core, along with recent Top 10 draft picks Anthony Davis and Austin Rivers.

The Hornets are planning to match any offer to restricted free agent Eric Gordon. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Hornets plan to match any offer presented in free agency to shooting guard Eric Gordon, The Times Picayune‘s John Reid reported. From the report:

All indications point toward the Hornets making a concerted effort to re-sign their restricted free agent, shooting guard Eric Gordon.

New Orleans appears ready to match any offer Gordon might get on the open market, even if means extending him a maximum-money contract of five years worth $80 million, league sources said.

The Hornets acquired Gordon from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Chris Paul trade last December. Gordon thrived during the games he played in New Orleans, scoring 20.6 points per game on 45 percent shooting. He didn’t play in many games, though — only nine, while he battled knee and back injuries.

But despite his injury history, the Hornets are prepared to make Gordon a focal point of their future core. They are expected to take Kentucky’s Anthony Davis with the No. 1 pick in next week’s NBA Draft, and they also have the No. 10 pick.

Reid reports that the Hornets’ payroll stands at $38.3 million, “one of the lowest in the league” and more than $20 million under the salary cap before the free-agency period begins in July.

Rashard Lewis is reportedly being sent with a second round draft pick to the New Orleans Hornets for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza. (Fernando Medina/Getty Images)

The Washington Wizards have reportedly traded small-forward Rashard Lewis and the $23.9 million remaining on his contract for next season to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for center Emeka Okafor and forward Trevor Ariza, as confirmed in a tweet by Marc Stein of ESPN.com. The Hornets will also receive the Wizards second round draft pick.

Okafor is due $28 million over the next two seasons, while Ariza is owed $7.2 million next season with a player option worth $7.7 million for the 2013-14 season.

Lewis, who is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career, averaged only 7.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 28 games for the Wizards last year, the lowest since his rookie year in 1998. The $23 million owed to him next season will make him the second highest paid player in the league; Kobe Bryant is due $27.8 million next season for the Lakers.

For the Hornets last season, Okafor played in 27 games and averaged 9.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and one block per game. Ariza averaged 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game in New Orleans last season.

Confirming what @DraftExpress just tweeted: Wiz have agreed to trade Rashard Lewis and 2012 second-rounder for Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 20, 2012

Michael Lee, the Wizards beat writer for The Washington Post, also tweeted that the two teams have reached an agreement.

Sources: #wizards have reached an agreement to send Rashard Lewis & No. 46 pick to NOH for Emeka Okafor & Trevor Ariza.—
Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) June 20, 2012

The Hornets and Trail Blazers are reportedly looking to trade their draft pick for either Paul Milsap, Evan Turner, Darren Collison or Eric Bledsoe. (Melissa Majchrzak/Getty Images)

The New Orleans Hornets and the Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly looking to trade their draft pick for Paul Milsap, Evan Turner, Darren Collison or Eric Bledsoe, according to Chad Ford of ESPN.com during a SportsNation online chat with fans:

If the Hornets are looking to trade Pick 10 for a young veteran, who are some of the potential targets?

Chad Ford:  Darren Collison, Eric Bledsoe, Evan Turner I’ve heard a lot. Ditto for Paul Millsap of the Jazz. By the way, I’m told the Blazers are looking at the same group of players at 11 if they decide to trade the pick.

The Hornets, who are expected to pick Anthony Davis with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft on June 28, also own the No. 10 pick, with the Blazers selecting after them at No. 11.

It’s not clear if other players from either of the teams roster would be traded for one of the aforementioned players, but New Orleans could be potentially looking at a much improved front court featuring Anthony Davis and Paul Milsap.