26-year old center Aaron Gray has opted out of his contract with the Hornets so that he can become a free agent.  Gray played in 41 games (6 starts) for the Hornets last year and he averaged 13.0 minutes, 3.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  He played in 65 games (6 starts) in his two years with the Hornets and he averaged 12.2 minutes, 3.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.  This just further depletes the frontcourt of the Hornets.

30-year old power forward David West has opted out of the final year of his contract with the Hornets.  He has now become a free agent.  West played in 70 games (all starts) for the Hornets last year and he averaged 35.0 minutes, 18.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  West has now played in 530 games (438 starts) in his 8 years with the Hornets and he has averaged 32.4 minutes, 16.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.  West is #3 in games played in Hornets’ history.  He is also #2 in rebounds (3,853), #10 in assists (1,042), #8 in steals (396), #3 in blocked shots (435) and #2 in points scored (8,690) in Hornets’ history.  This is going to be a big loss for the Hornets if West leaves.

The Hornets only have the 45th overall pick in this Thursday’s NBA Draft.  The Hornets will likely take the best available SG or PF with their pick.  PFs Markieff Morris (Kansas) and Nikola Mirotic (Serbia) might be available.  That would be a hard choice for the Hornets but I think they would go with Morris.  The Hornets really aren’t likely to get the kind of help they need this Thursday.  Free agency and the trade market will be the only likely way the Hornets will improve the roster for 2011-12.

UPDATE:  (6/27/2011) – The Hornets picked center Josh Harrellson in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft and then they sold him to the Knicks for a wad of cold hard cash.

The Hornets have a lot of free agents heading into this off-season, eight to be exact.  What happens with these guys will likely tell the direction the Hornets are heading into.  PF David West has a early termination option in his contract and he might want to test free agency.  It’s a weak market in free agency at power forward and he is going to be one of the best ones available.  The Hornets need to either bring him back or they need to sign a similar player, which won’t be easy.  PF/SF Carl Landry is also a free agent and he will come cheaper than West would.  The Hornets would have to still pay Landry a lot of cash if they choose to let West walk and sign him.  SG Marco Belinelli is a restricted free agent and I think the Hornets might bring him back but only if the price is right.  PF/C Jason Smith is also a restricted free agent and he won’t likely command a huge salary, so he might be back with the Hornets in 2011-12.  Center Aaron Gray has a player option for 2011-12 and I expect him to pick it up.  SG Willie Green’s future is likely tied to that of Marco Belinelli.  I don’t think they will both be back with the Hornets next year.  PG Marcus Banks and forward D.J. Mbenga will both likely be leaving town.