The New Orleans Hornets will likely be without 23-year old shooting guard Eric Gordon for at least six more weeks as doctors have recommended rest for his injured knee.  Gordon has played in 2 games (both starts) for the Hornets so far this year and he is averaging 39.0 minutes, 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocked shots per game.  The Hornets need 25-year old Marco Belinelli to step up with Gordon out of action but he has yet to do that.  Belinelli has played in 18 games (17 starts) for the Hornets so far this year and he is averaging 31.5 minutes, 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.  His shooting has also been off as he is only shooting 38.3% from the floor and 30.7% from the three point line, and that is not going to get the job done.

The Hornets will be without 23-year old starting shooting guard Eric Gordon for the next 2-3 weeks due to a knee injury.  Gordon has played in 2 games (both starts) for the Hornets so far this year and he is averaging 39.0 minutes, 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.5 blocked shots per game.  The Hornets will move 25-year old Marco Belinelli into the starting lineup at shooting guard  until Eric Gordon is ready to return to action.  Belinelli has played in 6 games (5 starts) so far this year for the Hornets and he is averaging 32.3 minutes, 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.  Belinelli will likely do a decent job, but the Hornets will suffer a dropoff at shooting guard until Gordon is ready to return to action.

The Hornets have acquired 20-year old shooting guard Xavier Henry from the Grizzlies in a three team deal also involving the 76ers.  Henry played in 38 games (16 starts) last season as a rookie for the Grizzlies and he averaged 13.9 minutes, 4.3 points, 1.0 rebound and 0.5 assists per game.  He has an ankle problem, so it’s going to be a little while before he’s ready to get back on the basketball court.  The Hornets have sent the 76ers a second round pick in 2013 as their part of the deal.  24-year old power forward Marreese Speights has been sent from the Sixers to the Grizzlies as part of this deal and the Sixers received a 2nd round pick in 2012 from the Grizzlies.  This was a good deal for the Hornets as Henry is a player with a lot of talent.

The Hornets have waived 31-year old PF/C David Andersen.  Andersen played in 29 games (0 starts) for the Hornets last year and he averaged 7.7 minutes, 2.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.  He has now played in 103 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the NBA and he is averaging 12.3 minutes, 4.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.  The Hornets have a loaded frontcourt, so they essentially did Andersen a favor as he will be able to look for a team that can give him more playing time in 2011-12.

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 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.

Starting power forward David West tore his ACL last Thursday Night and he will miss the rest of the year.  West played in 70 games (all starts) for the Hornets this year and he averaged 35.0 minutes, 18.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  Carl Landry will replace West in the starting lineup and they need him to step up.  Landry has played in 14 games (1 start) for the Hornets since coming to them in a deal with the Kings and he is averaging 22.5 minutes, 10.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.  Landry will likely be able to replace West’s points but not his defense and rebounding.  This is a big blow to the Hornets.

The Hornets have signed 23-year old rookie point guard Jerel McNeal out of the D-League.  McNeal played in 40 games (all starts) for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and he averaged 34.7 minutes, 19.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game.  McNeal might get some P.T. right away for the Hornets with Chris Paul down right now due to a concussion.

The New Orleans Hornets have acquired 27-year old forward Carl Landry from the Kings for 23-year old shooting guard Marcus Thornton and cash.  Landry played in 53 games (16 starts) for the Kings this season and he was averaging 26.5 minutes, 11.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.  He has now played in 244 games (45 starts) in his first five years in the NBA and he is averaging 24.8 minutes, 12.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.  Landry has shot 54.2% from the floor in his NBA career.  The Hornets were looking to add scoring punch in the frontcout and that’s exactly what Landry brings to the table.

Marcus Thornton was stuck in Hornets’ head coach Monty Williams’ Dog House so it was just a matter of time before he was dealt.  Thornton played in 46 games (0 starts) for the Hornets this season and he averaged 16.2 minutes, 7.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.  He played in 119 games (17 starts) in his two years with the Hornets and he averaged 22.0 minutes, 11.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

I like this trade for the Hornets this season as Landry will help them out big time.  But down the road, the Hornets might regret this deal as Marcus Thornton has a huge upside.