That figure has increased slightly since last season. Marks, who is not represented by an agent and did not return a telephone call seeking comment, played for that sum a year ago.

His signing comes nearly one year to the day he signed in 2008, on Aug. 28. A veteran who'll be entering his ninth season in the NBA, Marks played in a career-high 60 games last season with the Hornets . He had single-game career highs for points (18), blocks (four), steals (two), assists (two) and minutes played (36). He started five games for New Orleans, averaging 5.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks, and played an average of 14.0 minutes per appearance.

He was slowed in the early going last season by calf and hamstring injuries.

Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower said Thursday the Hornets could head into training camp at the end of next month with the current roster.

"We carried 14 the last few years," said Bower, "so we're comfortable at that number. We'll reserve judgment until we get through training camp."

With Marks' addition, the Hornets have made significant roster moves during the offseason, acquiring center Emeka Okafor in a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats for center Tyson Chandler, signing free-agent forward Ike Diogu and trading shooting guard Rasual Butler to the Los Angeles Clippers for a future second-round pick.

The Hornets also selected point guard Darren Collison from UCLA in the first round of the June NBA draft, then swapped two future second-round draft choices to the Miami Heat for the rights to LSU shooting guard Marcus Thornton.

New Orleans kept guard Devin Brown, who exercised the option on his contract.

Marks' return gives the Hornets valuable front-line depth and an energetic player off the bench who can spell Okafor or power forward David West.

"We really liked how he continued to improve as the season went on," Bower said of Marks, "and he played a valuable role for us off the bench and performed very well in some key games for us. We liked what he can do for us on the floor and his approach to his role and his responsibilities on the team."

Not counting Diogu's salary, which has not been made public, the Hornets' player payroll stands just above $75 million, well over the luxury-tax threshold of $69.96 million for this season, and the salary cap, which has been established at $57.7 million. The Hornets could be taxed $1 for every $1 they're over the luxury threshold by the end of the coming season.

The Hornets could make a move to eliminate a veteran's salary to lower the expected luxury-tax bill.

"Sean was a big part of our success last season, and he showed that he could be called upon to play a larger role when necessary," Coach Byron Scott said in a statement released by the team. "I look forward to having him back as a reliable big-man option."

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Jimmy Smith can be reached at jsmith@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.