DRAFT PICKS: The Hornets selected Kansas forward Darrell Arthur with the 27th pick, then traded his draft rights o Portland for cash considerations in a deal negotiated before the draft. They had previously traded away their second-round pick.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Hornets added depth at shooting guard and small forward with the signing of former Celtic James Posey. They can still use backups to C Tyson Chandler and point guard Chris Paul. FREE AGENT FOCUS: Reserve C Chris Andersen signed with Denver. Two other reserves -- G/F Bonzi Wells and F Ryan Bowen -- are unrestricted free agents. The Hornets might offer Bowen a contract, but are not interested in re-signing Wells. Reserve G Jannero Pargo opted out of his contract July 1 and is still on the market. Reserve C Melvin Ely chose not to opt out of the final year of his contract.
PLAYER NOTES:
--C Tyson Chandler's stay with Team USA might be cut short after he aggravated a toe injury suffered in the second round of the playoffs against San Antonio. Chandler was the top alternate and insurance against a chest injury plaguing the Magic's Dwight Howard until the toe injury put Chandler's availability in question.
--Reserve swingman Rasual Butler's arraignment on weapons charges in Miami Beach, Fla., was postponed from July 23 to Aug. 4. Butler faces one felony charge and one misdemeanor charge stemming from an incident outside a night club in June.
--Former Cal State-Fullerton guard Bobby Brown was a star for the Hornets' Summer League team and might have earned himself an invite to the Hornets' or someone else's preseason camp. Brown averaged team-highs of 15.2 points and 6.3 assists.
