NBA Draft 2012: How the New Orleans Hornets Will Build Around Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis will be a New Orleans Hornet shortly after the 2012 NBA draft starts on Thursday.

All that has to happen is for David Stern to come to the microphone on the stage of the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and make it official.

But where do the Hornets go from there?

According to Hoopshype.com, the Hornets only have eight players under contracts for the 2012-13 season. After adding the contract for Davis, they will still have the ability to sign one or two free agents, as they look to rebuild their franchise.

The good news for Hornet fans is that their best player, Eric Gordon, will be back for next season, according to ProBasketballTalk.

The Hornets also have the No. 10 pick in the draft, so they will be able to add another potential star on Thursday night to go alongside Davis. The Hornets are in desperate need of a center after the departure of Emeka Okafor and will most likely look to fill that void with the 10th pick in the draft.

The Hornets need to bring in a young body to coexist with Davis in the frontcourt. 

Most mock drafts have the Hornets drafting Meyers Leonard out of the University of Illinois. Leonard stands at 7’1” and would be a perfect body to start next to Davis. With the addition of Davis and Leonard, the Hornets have now secured their frontcourt for years to come.

According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld (via hoopsrumors.com), the Hornets are likely to buy out Rashard Lewis’ contract. Lewis was acquired in the Emeka Okafor trade with the Washington Wizards. The Hornets can still re-sign him after he clears waivers and becomes a free agent. The Hornets would only do this if they want to reconstruct his contract in order to save cap space (Lewis is due $13.7 million in 2012-13).

With the two big men added in the draft, the Hornets must change their focus to adding both a small forward and depth at point guard. Someone like Grant Hill could fit in nicely—the Hornets could sign him to a veteran minimum contract, which would save cap space. However, it is unlikely that Hill would want to be part of a rebuilding effort so close to the end of his career.

Another small forward that should be on the Hornets free-agency radar is Gerald Wallace. Wallace is an offensive threat and a solid defensive player who could be really beneficial for the Hornets. Wallace turned down $9.5 million for a chance to test free agency, meaning GM Dell Demps would have to open the team’s wallet if he wants to bring in Wallace.

With the two top-10 draft picks and the likelihood that they sign Eric Gordon, the Hornets are headed in the right direction. They will be young and talented team and have the money in order to entice free agents.

It would not be a surprise to see the Hornets climb out of the basement of the Western Conference.