New Orleans Hornets: With Owner in Place, Hornets Can Turn Focus to Eric Gordon

The New Orleans Hornets announced earlier this week that current New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson is expected to be named as the new owner of the basketball team.

Benson is expected to purchase the Hornets for $338 million dollars, which is wonderful news for a team temporarily owned by David Stern and company. Additionally, having an experienced owner looking to keep the team in New Orleans should also keep the fan base excited as to what to expect next season.

Now the Hornets can turn their focus towards building a competitive basketball team. The Hornets currently do have some young pieces on the roster (Jason Smith, Gustavo Ayón, Jarrett Jack) and can get younger through the draft or look to bring in some experienced players via free agency to balance out their roster.

In the defense of the Hornets, they have had a tough season where they have lost a lot of games, but they do play hard under head coach Monty Williams, and opponents have had to work to defeat them. They have an underrated head coach in Monty Williams who has been able to communicate well with his players despite all the ups-and-downs during the season.

Although their record at this point in the season is 17-42, they could have a pretty bright future.  

The biggest decision the Hornets franchise will have to make is regarding Eric Gordon. Gordon was the key piece brought in from the Los Angeles Clippers who has the potential to become the next star in New Orleans.

Despite appearing in only six games this season due to a knee injury, the Hornets need to find a way to keep him for the long term and add talent around him through the draft and in free agency.

The Hornets have finally found an owner with a track record and can look to further build their team.