Wright struggled last season, playing spotty minutes at shooting guard and both forward positions. He averaged two points in four of the five games in last season's first-round playoff exit against Denver.

"He can play both positions (small forward and shooting guard), but right now I want him to get totally comfortable at small forward," Scott said. "That's something we did during summer league. That's the only spot I want him to play, so he can get comfortable, that it becomes second nature."

Wright, one of the Hornets' most athletic players, can handle the ball and beat defenders on drives to the basket. Despite his potential, he also can be erratic, taking ill-advised shots and forcing passes.

Scott benched Wright for repeated mistakes last season and said he had regressed from his strong rookie season of 2007-08.

However, this season the Hornets have retooled their roster with six new players. Scott is confident they will be able to push the tempo more frequently because of the improvement of the bench, which includes first-round draft pick Darren Collison, a point guard from UCLA.

Knowing he must make an impact throughout the preseason, Wright said he spent the offseason working on his post-up and mid-range moves. Scott said he told Wright when summer league play ended that he has to earn the starting job.

"They are trying to channel me in one position, so I can give the best effort," said Wright, who resumed workouts in New Orleans on Monday. "That's what training camp is for, figuring out what is going to make the team play at the highest level possible. So all I can do is come and show what I've been working on and try to provide the team with it."

Scott has toyed with the idea of starting Wright since the end of last season, and he ran it past his assistant coaches and General Manager Jeff Bower.

Scott said Wright could develop rapidly as a starter alongside All-Stars David West and Chris Paul, and Stojakovic's career could be extended by coming off the bench. Stojakovic, who is entering his 12th year in the NBA, has struggled with back problems since requiring sending-ending surgery in 2006 to remove a disc fragment.

"I have been thinking about it for a while," Scott said. "Obviously, I want to discuss it with Peja. If you bring Peja and James Posey off the bench, that's a pretty good bench. He'll go against second-tier guys instead of having to go against (Denver's) Carmelo Anthony and those kind of guys every single night."

DIOGU ADJUSTING: Hornets forward Ike Diogu said he has been in New Orleans the past two weeks trying to get acclimated to the city and his teammates before training camp begins. He has participated in volunteer workouts.

Scott said he plans to play Diogu at power forward and occasionally at center.

"They ( Hornets ) didn't give me any guarantees, but they said if I just come here and do what I'm capable of doing, then at the end of the day, I would be happy with everything," Diogu said.

SHINNS HONORED: The Louisiana Children's Museum will honor Hornets owners George and Denise Shinn with the Great Friend to Kids Award on Oct. 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. The award recognizes outstanding philanthropy, compassion and commitment to Louisiana's children.

"Denise and I are extremely honored to be recognized by the Louisiana Children's Museum, an organization close to our hearts because of the outstanding work they do to create hope and joy for our local children," George Shinn said in a statement. "We all play an integral role in the future of our region, state and city, and it starts with dedicating our energy and resources into education and literacy programs for our children."

RADIO AFFILIATES ANNOUNCED: The Hornets have come to agreements with 12 radio affiliates in the Gulf Coast region, including the Hornets' flagship station in New Orleans, 106.7-FM, and Baton Rouge flagship station 1460-AM. All home games will be broadcast in Spanish on 830-AM in New Orleans.

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John Reid can be reached at jreid@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3407.