The Hornets picked center Cole Aldrich out of Kansas with the 11th overall pick and then they traded him along with 32-year old small forward Morris Peterson to the Thunder for the 21st and 26th overall picks in the NBA Draft. Peterson played in 46 games (39 starts) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 21.2 minutes, 7.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. In his three years with the Hornets, Peterson played in 165 games (124 starts) in which he averaged 19.9 minutes, 6.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. This was little more than a salary dump move for the Hornets as Aldrich and Peterson will make a lot more money in 2010-11 than whoever the Hornets use their two first round picks on.

32-year old PF Darius Songaila has exercised his player option for the 2010-11 season allowing him to return to the Hornets. Songaila played in 75 games (1 start) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 18.8 minutes, 7.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. He has now played in 485 games (79 starts) in his seven years in the NBA and he is averaging 18.9 minutes, 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The Hornets probably could have used the money elsewhere but Songaila is a decent backup forward.

The Hornets have signed 38-year old Monty Williams to a 3-year deal to be the new head coach of the New Orleans Hornets. He has a lot of winning in his background. He started coaching with the Spurs in 2004-05 and they won the NBA Championship that year. Williams then went on to be a assistant with the Portland Trailblazers from 2005-06 to 2009-10. I think Williams will do a good job for the Hornets as he hopefully learned well under Gregg Popovich and Nate McMillan.

The Hornets might have up to 5 free agents this summer. Peja Stojakovic and Darius Songaila both have early termination options on their contracts. Stojakovic isn’t going anywhere but Songailia might leave as he might be able to get more minutes and money from another team. Ike Diogu and Sean Marks might also be leaving town this summer. Aaron Gray is a restricted free agent but the Hornets like him so they will likely match any reasonable offer for him.

The Hornets have lost starting small forward Peja Stojakovic for the next 2-4 weeks due to a abdominal strain. Stojakovic has played in 62 games (55 starts) this season for the Hornets and he is averaging 31.4 minutes, 12.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The Hornets will likely get Julian Wright out of mothballs and put him into the starting lineup. Wright has played in 53 games (8 starts) for the Hornets this season and he is averaging 11.4 minutes, 3.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. The Hornets will also likely use rookie Marcus Thornton some at shooting guard the rest of the year to help cushion the loss of Stojakovic.