The New Orleans Hornets make a splash in the free agent market agreeing on a four-year, 25 million deal with former Boston Celtics' forward James Posey.
Posey won his second NBA Championship with the Celtics last season, and the Hornets hope he can bring that same magic to New Orleans.
Posey averaged 7.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in the regular season and 6.7 points and 3.6 rebounds during the playoffs last season, but his contributions could not be measured in the box score.
The 6-foot-8 small forward contributed with stellar on-ball defense and clutch three-pointers, a role backup point guard Jannero Pargo assumed against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semi-Finals.
The acquisition sures up an often inconsistent bench, adding more experience, shooting, and defense to an otherwise young squad.
Bonzi Wells and Jannero Pargo were key contributors that are currently free agents. The Hornets are expected to keep Pargo, but with Posey now on-board and a breakout season for Julian Wright, Wells becomes an expendable piece.
But even with Posey teaming up with the MVP runner-up, Chris Paul, and All-Star forward, David West, the Hornets may still be too undersized to take the West from a healthy Los Angeles Lakers or San Antonio Spurs squad.
However, the 31-year-old veteran undoubtedly makes the Hornets a better team. The young players are a year wiser and a year stronger, and with Chris Paul running the show, anything is possible.
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2 months ago
Good short term move, but don't expect much from him after the second year of the four year deal.
from 2 months ago
I agree. It's hard to be a spark at 33, 34 years of age. Posey was a "win now" move for a very young team that has the unique ability to win now and later.
2 months ago
Yeah I agree, especially with that core that's a mix of young guys (Paul, Chandler and West) and some older guys (Peja and Bonzi). The only small forwards that I can think of from the top of the head that did okay after age 31 or so and are still in the league are Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry. Posey has a CHANCE to follow.
The one thing I don't get is where does this addition leave Julian Wright. He was making huge strides and prior to signing Posey, he was expected to be a major part in the rotation. Now you have Peja, Bonzi Wells, Posey and Wright all at the SF position.
from 2 months ago
Well Bonzi is a Free Agent so anything could happen with him and Peja is defensive liabilty so there will be room for Wright to get some solid minutes and against some teams, he could play the 4-spot.
I do hope that Wright doesn't get lost in the shuffle because he did very well last season with a Lamar Odom-esque ability in the lane and long arms and good foot movement on defense. He'll earn his minutes, I'm sure.
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