Hornets Happenings | Bees Out of the Running for Two Targeted Free Agents

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Jannero Pargo had been hanging around New Orleans. He had reportedly been playing one-on-one with Byron Scott. 

Surely, the Hornets would sign him.

But in an attempt to partially ease the pain of losing Ben Gordon to the rival Pistons, the Bulls signed Pargo to a one-year deal worth roughly $2 million. 

So much for a proven backup guard who can swing between the one and two spots.

The assumption is that although neither of them have one minute of NBA experience, the Hornets' management is comfortable enough with draft picks Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton coming off the bench.

According to Pargo's Chicago-based agent Mark Bartelstein, "It's a great fit. A lot of teams wanted him, but he loved it here. He's an explosive scorer who can take up some slack for Gordon."

Tony Dutt, the agent for Dallas free agent Brandon Bass, has identified Orlando, Detroit, and Portland as the finalists among teams vying for the four-year pro's services, according to news reports on WWL 870 radio in New Orleans.

With Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess headed to Boston and San Antonio, respectively, Bass has become an in-demand player and will likely receive a deal for less than the mid-level exception.

Bass, a second-round selection by the Hornets after leaving college as a sophomore, was cut after his second year with the club. He had shown interest in rejoining New Orleans, and this writer believed that there was mutual interest from the Hornets.

The options for boosting their front court are getting slimmer for the Hornets. Some of the players about whom the Hornets have inquired about are Mikki Moore, Maceo Baston and Jake Voskuhl.

Wow! These guys are really going to strike some fear into the opposition.

The Hornets have reportedly expressed interest in Celtics' restricted free agent Glenn "Big Baby" Davis. Davis is going to be overpriced whereever he signs, and with their salary cap problems, I cannot see the Bees swinging a deal for the former LSU star.

With all of the significant free agents headed anywhere but the Crescent city, let's hope the Hornets have a blockbuster trade in mind to shore up the roster. 

Otherwise, it is going to be a long and painful season.

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