http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/108953451596950.xml Traylor draws interest Agent says six teams looking at forward Sunday, July 11, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer The Hornets are interested in re-signing free-agent forward Robert "Tractor" Traylor, but his agent said the hefty forward has garnered interest from at least six other teams. Andre Colona, who represents Traylor, said Friday that, in addition to the Hornets, the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat have expressed the most interest. Hornets general manager Allan Bristow confirmed that he had spoken to Colona and talks are continuing. "We want to make sure we get the best offer," Colona said. "He has enjoyed his tenure in New Orleans, but you know we want to make sure we get someone who is going to give him his market value." Before the start of free agency July 1, Traylor expressed a desire to remain with the Hornets. He said he liked the direction the franchise has taken with the recent hirings of Hall of Famer Willis Reed as vice president of basketball operations and Byron Scott as coach. Traylor, who played collegiately at Michigan, is a six-year veteran who has spent the past three seasons with the Hornets. Last season, Traylor played in 71 games and averaged 5.1 points as a backup forward and center. He was a key reserve for the team, although he continued to struggle with his weight. The Hornets list Traylor at 6 feet 8, 284 pounds, and he is surprisingly agile even though he played last season at more than 300 pounds. Traylor, 27, is one of four Hornets who are unrestricted free agents, along with Stacey Augmon, Shammond Williams and Steve Smith. Courtney Alexander is a restricted free agent, which means the Hornets can match any offer he receives. Free agents can begin signing contracts July 14. With the Hornets above the salary cap, they could use a portion of their $5.1 million mid-level exception to re-sign Traylor. Bristow declined to comment on any other players besides Traylor that the Hornets may be targeting. Smith, a 12-year veteran who played in 71 games and averaged five points as a reserve last season, wants to return. But Smith continues to wait for a contract offer from the Hornets. "They haven't contacted us yet, but at least two teams have expressed an interest," said Charles Tucker, Smith's agent. "I'm quite sure Steve will play somewhere. We know he still has a lot left in his tank." In the Hornets' first-round series loss to the Miami Heat, Smith averaged 6.4 points and made six of 11 3-point attempts in five games. In the deciding Game 7, Smith, 35, came off the bench and scored a game-high 25 points in the Hornets' 85-77 loss. "Once you get in my situation when you have a wife and kids, family-wise it makes even better sense, because my wife is from Louisiana," Smith said. "With the guys we have, they complement me, and I complement them. I enjoyed it last season, but obviously as a player, I wanted to play more, but every player wants to do that. But I'm a veteran, and I understand situations." SUMMER LEAGUE: Hornets first-round draft pick J.R. Smith will make his professional debut in the Southern California Pro League in Long Beach, Calif., starting Monday. Smith will play on a team that includes Hornets forward David West, second-round draft pick Tim Pickett, recently acquired guard Alex Garcia and last year's second-round pick James Lang, who was waived by the Hornets in December. The remainder of the team will consist of players from the Portland Trail Blazers. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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