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New Orleans Hornets 2007 Draft Preview

By Warren Blatt Jun 20, 2007, 16:40 GMT

- Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic headline a talented New Orleans Hornets roster. Add forwards David West and Desmond Mason to the mix, and this is a team that should be in the thick of the playoff race in 2007-08.The Hornets have the 13th overall pick and will look to add another piece to the puzzle. New Orleans could use some help from the outside and would benefit from having another rebounding forward on the roster.Paul is one of the most dynamic players in the league. The Wake Forest product can score and is excellent at creating opportunities for his teammates. The 2005-06 Rookie of the Year, Paul averaged 17.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and a team-best 8.9 assists in 64 games.Chandler was monster on the boards in 2006-07 for the Hornets, who finished 39-43 and were three games behind Golden State for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference. The 6-11 Chandler registered 9.5 points and a team-high 12.4 rebounds per game.New Orleans dealt with plenty of injuries this past season, as Stojakovic, who was playing in his first season with the club, missed 69 games, West was sidelined for 30, Bobby Jackson was out for 26, Paul 18 and Chandler nine. West averaged a club-high 18.3 points and 8.2 rebounds, while Stojakovic netted 17.8 per game in the 13 contests he played in.The 13th overall pick will get the Hornets immediate help. Thaddeus Young of Georgia Tech and Derrick Byars of Vanderbilt are a pair players the Hornets should be looking at with their selection.Key Player(s): Hilton Armstrong (Center), Rasual Butler (Forward), Tyson Chandler (Center/Forward), Bobby Jackson (Guard), Desmond Mason (Forward), Jannero Pargo (Guard), Chris Paul (Guard), Cedric Simmons (Forward), Peja Stojakovic (Forward), David West (Forward).Team Needs: Shooting guard and another rebounder.Draft picks: 1st round (13th overall), 2nd round (43rd overall).© 2007 The Sports Network

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