The New Orleans Hornets’ front office hadn’t wanted to trade its No. 11 pick, but it appears the financial realities of the cash-strapped franchise are making it more likely the team will trade out of the lottery, league sources said late Wednesday.
The Hornets could make a team with cap space take one of their unwanted contracts – perhaps James Posey or even Julian Wright – as a condition for moving into the 11th spot. The Hornets could move later into the first round, where the guaranteed contracts for rookies descend with every spot until the 30th pick. Or, perhaps the Hornets could move completely out of the first round and pick up one or two second-round picks.
The Hornets were believed to be hoping Baylor’s Ekpe Udoh would drop down, but that appears unlikely. New Orleans had strong interest with Kansas’ Xavier Henry and Nevada’s Luke Babbitt, too.
In other Hornets news, coach Monty Williams has hired away Sacramento Kings assistant Bryan Gates for his new staff, sources say. Gates had finished his first season in the NBA on Paul Westphal’s staff after a successful run with the Idaho Stampede of the D-League.
