WESTWEGO, La. (AP)—The Hornets have wrapped up an agreement on a one-year contract with free agentCarl Landry, who is expected to step back into the starting power forward spot he had late last season and during New Orleans’ first-round playoff series.
Landry’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, said the deal is worth about $8.8 million.
Hornets general manager Dell Demps and coach Monty Williams “did an unbelievable job communicating to him how bad they want him back, and what they were trying to build,” Bartelstein said. “Carl really enjoyed playing for Monty.”
The deal on Thursday morning came less than 24 hours after the Hornets traded All-Star guard Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers for shooting guard Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman and forwardAl-Farouq Aminu.
Aminu is a second-year player who is likely to back up the 6-foot-9 Landry, who averaged 11.8 points and 4.1 rebounds in 23 games with the Hornets. Landry was acquired in a trade with Sacramento last season and initially backed up David West, but moved into a starting role when West injured his left knee. West, who was a free agent after last season, decided last weekend to sign with Indiana, opening the way for Landry to return as the likely starter.
“He understands the system. He really thrived later in the season after the injury to David West,” Demps said. “He had some big-time moments for us in the playoffs last year. We want to grow on that. … He fits our system and we’re excited about the agreement.”
Bartelstein said his client agreed to only a one-year deal because of Hornets “uncertain ownership situation.” The team is currently owned by the NBA, but is hoping to have local ownership by mid-January or February, team officials have said.
Still, Landry was willing to give the Hornets at least one more season and remain open to signing an extension if the ownership situation becomes more stable, Bartelstein said.
“He’s going to have a great year and we’ll obviously revisit things in a few months from now,” Bartelstein said.