Season averages: 4.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.37 steals.

Contract status: One year, $2.8 million.

Notable: Scored a career-high 17 points against Denver on Jan. 3. Inconsistent and lacked assertiveness for the third consecutive season. Needs to get focused and spend more time working to improve.

Returning next season? Uncertain. He could be involved in a packaged deal in the Hornets' attempt to lower their payroll.

RYAN BOWEN

Season averages: 2.2 points, 1.1 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.67 steals.

Contract status: Expired at the end of 2008-09 season.

Notable: Played in 21 games and made his impact as a hustler.

Returning next season? Likely. He is a low-priced role player.

DEVIN BROWN

Season averages: 5.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.51 steals.

Contract status: Expired at end of 2008-09 season.

Notable: Averaged 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in five games as a starter.

Returning next season? Unlikely. Unable to make the same impact he did during the 2006-07 season when the Hornets were temporarily based in Oklahoma City.

RASUAL BUTLER

Season averages: 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.62 steals.

Contract status: One year, $3.9 million dollars.

Notable: Was the only Hornets player to play in all 82 regular-season games. Had nine games of scoring 20 or more points.

Returning next season? Guaranteed. One of the team's most consistent performers after struggling during the 2007-08 season.

Tyson Chandler

Season averages: 8.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks.

Contract status: One year, $11.8 million; has player option for $12.7 million for the 2010-11 season.

Notable: Struggled with injuries and saw his trade to Oklahoma City rescinded because of a toe that was injured in April 2006.

Returning next season? Unlikely. If the Hornets can find a team interested, they will trade him to obtain a center for less money. They could make a push this summer to re-sign the Denver Nuggets' Chris Andersen, whose contract expires after this season.

ANTONIO DANIELS

Season averages: 3.8 points, 0.9 rebounds 2.1 assists, 0.31 steals.

Contract status: One year, $6.6 million dollars.

Notable: Scored a career-high 12 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 8.

Returning next season? Guaranteed. Salary is too high to draw interest for a trade.

Melvin Ely

Season averages: 3.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.3 blocks, 0.6 assists.

Contract status: Expired at the end of 2008-09 season.

Notable: Averaged 5.5 points from October through November.

Returning next season? Unlikely. The only Hornets player who was not activated for all five playoff games against the Nuggets.

SEAN MARKS

Season averages: 3.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.12 steals.

Contract status: Expired at the end of the 2008-09 season.

Notable: Had career highs for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and games played this season.

Returning next season? Likely. He emerged as one of the Hornets' top bench players.

CHRIS PAUL

Season averages: 22.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 2.77 steals.

Contract status: Three years, $45.5 million; has player option for $18 million in the 2012-13 season.

Notable: First player in the NBA in the past 15 seasons to average more than 20 points and 10 assists in a season. Only player in NBA history to lead the league in assists and steals for two consecutive seasons.

Returning next season? Guaranteed. He's the franchise player and the biggest reason the Hornets attracted large crowds at the New Orleans Arena.

MORRIS PETERSON

Season averages: 4.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.35 steals.

Contract status: Two years, $12.8 million.

Notable: Missed 39 games -- 14 with a sore foot, 11 because of Coach Byron Scott's decision.

Returning next season? Possible. The Hornets tried to trade him before the February deadline. His salary makes him tough to trade with two years remaining on his contract.

JAMES POSEY

Season averages: 8.9 points, 4.8 rebounds 1.1 assists, 0.77 steals.

Contract status: Two years, $12.4 million.

Notable: The only player on the roster who did not start at least one game.

Returning next season? Likely. Struggled during the final two months of the season with his shooting, but he made an impact on defense.

PEJA STOJAKOVIC

Season averages: 13.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.85 steals.

Contract status: Two years, $29.5 million.

Notable: Made 52 3-pointers during the final 22 games.

Returning next season? Guaranteed. Back problems and his salary make him unattractive for teams in a trade.

DAVID WEST

Season averages: 21.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.64 steals.

Contract status: Two years, $17.2 million dollars.

Notable: Made his second consecutive All-Star appearance.

Returning next season? Possible. He was once considered untouchable, but the Hornets might shop him if they cannot find a team willing to take Chandler.

JULIAN WRIGHT

Season averages: 4.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.65 steals.

Contract status: One year, $2 million; team option for the 2009-10 season for $2.8 million.

Notable: Averaged 23.6 minutes during games in March.

Returning next season? Likely. Although he struggled to earn a spot in the rotation, he has the potential to develop into a starter

COACH

BYRON SCOTT

Record: 350-353 overall; 201-210 in five seasons with the Hornets .

Contract status: One year, $5.5 million dollars.

Notable: Injuries played a role in why the Hornets didn't win more than 49 games and were eliminated in the first round by Denver.

Returning next season? Uncertain. Scott might explore openings with teams who might be willing to buy out his contract if the Hornets overhaul their roster.