Jazz will open season in New Orleans

The Jazz are going back to their birthplace to open the 2002-03 season. Utah will play the New Orleans Hornets, formerly of Charlotte, on Oct. 30. The Jazz franchise, of course, originated in New Orleans in 1974 before relocating to Salt Lake City prior to the the 1979-1980 season.

New Orleans has been without an NBA basketball since the Jazz departed — until now.

Utah will face Atlanta on Halloween night before opening the home season on Nov. 2 against Golden State.

Via Deseret News

Utah Jazz, Charlotte Bobcats, Atlanta Hawks

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Davis still needs time to decide

The Associated Press reports that Baron Davis is weighing his options. When asked about his future in New Orleans, Davis said he does not have anything against New Orleans. But he needs more time before deciding whether to accept the team's latest offer. He also denies asking for a trade.

The Hornets have reportedly offered Davis the maximum extension of 6-years and probably more than $85 million. "It's definitely a tough decision,'' Davis said. "I'll take some time to think about it so I can make the right decision.''

Davis is considering the direction of the franchise, the New Orleans area and his own future while deciding. His biggest concern is the length of the contract. "It's the bulk of your career,'' Davis said.

The Hornets have said that they will not trade Davis and have until October 31st to negotiate an extension. If no agreement is reached by then, Davis will play out this season at a salary of $3.9 million. Then he will be a restricted free agent next summer. As a restricted free agent, the Hornets have the option of matching any offer.

"They (Hornets) have made an offer, and I just wasn't ready to accept it,'' Davis said. "When it was offered, I had never been to New Orleans. But I don't have anything against the city of New Orleans.”

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Charlotte Bobcats

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Time for Hornets to use Plan B

John DeShazier of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes that the Hornets may have to change tact. They want to keep Baron Davis, but he doesn’t want anything to do with the franchise. It might be time to talk trade.

The Hornets have offered Davis a 6-year, $84 million contract extension, the maximum allowable. Davis has not touched the deal. It will likely remain untouched by October 31st after which Davis and the Hornets must cease negotiations, according to the collective bargaining agreement.

By refusing to sign the maximum available contract, it is clear that Davis wants out of the organization. The Hornets now have to implement plan B because they can't allow Davis to serve out his sentence and leave without compensation. This is where Cleveland and Andre Miller become important parts of the plan.

Miller is in the opposite situation. He’s looking for a maximum extension, but his team doesn’t think he’s worth it. He should be agreeable to signing the Hornets’ offer that Davis has refused. Cleveland has already tried to trade miller on draft night but failed. They will also want to trade their young star to avoid letting him go in free agency with no return.

Davis would not want to stay in Cleveland, but he would probably have more trade value than Miller. The Cavaliers may be able to turn Davis into more value than Miller. The Hornets on the other hand, would not miss a beat worth Miller at the helm. His numbers are certainly comparable to Davis.

DeShazier concludes, “The Hornets' company line is Davis won't be traded. But if he won't sign, the logical move is to recoup as much as possible, and there's no reason to be reactive instead of proactive. Miller obviously is available, and he's ready.”

“The Cavs have a player they want to trade. The Hornets have a player who wants to be traded. Seems like each franchise could help the other and get exactly what each wants.”

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Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers

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