29-year old power forward David West just keeps putting up big numbers for the Hornets. He played in 81 games (all starts) for the Hornets last season and he averaged 36.4 minutes, 19.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. West has now played in 460 games (368 starts) in his 7 years with the Hornets and he is averaging 32.0 minutes, 16.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. West is moving up in the record books for the Hornets as he is #5 in games played with 460. He is also #3 in rebounds (3,324), #10 in assists (878), #8 in steals (329), #5 in blocked shots (373) and he is #4 in points scored (7,368) in Hornets’ history. West is already one of the very best players in New Orleans Hornets history.

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.

A year ago I would say the Hornets would be nuts to trade Chris Paul. But after Darren Collison played out his butt as a rookie you have to wonder if the Hornets might float his name out there in trade talks to see what they could get for him. Paul played in 45 games (all starts) last season for the Hornets and he averaged 38.0 minutes, 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He is only 25 years old and he is one of the best players in the NBA. He has now played in 345 games (all starts) in his five years with the Hornets in which he has averaged 37.3 minutes, 19.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Personally I wouldn’t even entertain offers for Paul but you have to think the Hornets might be thinking differently after missing the playoffs last season.

The Hornets have to be ecstatic with the play of their rookies this year. 22-year old point guard Darren Collison was outstanding for the Hornets last season. He played in 76 games (37 starts) for the Hornets this year and he averaged 27.8 minutes, 12.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.0 steal per game. He shot 40% from three point range this season which is also outstanding. Collison’s emergence could make the Hornets comfortable in trading Chris Paul which is crazy when you think about it. 22-year old shooting guard Marcus Thornton was also outstanding this year for the Hornets. Thornton played in 73 games (17 starts) for the Hornets this season and he averaged 25.6 minutes, 14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. No team did better in the NBA Draft last season overall than the Hornets did, period.