http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/109005282554890.xml Hornets sign guard Peterson Post player Anderson also agrees to deal Saturday, July 17, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer The Hornets' top two priorities in free agency were to acquire a backup center and a shooting guard, and the team took two big steps toward meeting that goal Friday. Denver Nuggets free-agent power forward-center Chris Anderson agreed to terms on a two-year contract offer from the Hornets, said sources close to the negotiations, and the team announced it had signed Toronto Raptors shooting guard Morris Peterson to an offer sheet. Because Peterson is a restricted free agent, the Raptors have 15 days to match the Hornets' offer. If they don't, Peterson likely will compete with veteran David Wesley for a starting position when training camp starts in October. Anderson, 6-foot-10, also is a restricted free agent, but a league source said Friday the Nuggets had declined their right to match the Hornets' offer. Anderson became expendable after the Nuggets acquired All-Star power forward Kenyon Martin in a sign-and-trade deal with the New Jersey Nets on Thursday. The Nuggets already have Marcus Camby and Nene on their roster, and both can play power forward or center. Anderson, 26, played one season at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas, averaging 10.1 points and 7.7 points as a freshman during the 1997-98 season. He was not drafted and began his professional career playing in the Chinese Basketball League in 1999-00. In 2000-01, Anderson played for a team in the International Basketball Association. The following season, he was invited to training camp with the Phoenix Suns, but he was waived before signing with the Fayetteville Patriots in the National Basketball Developmental League before the Nuggets signed him in November 2001. Anderson is expected to arrive in New Orleans on Monday to sign a two-year deal worth $2.3 million, sources said. Anderson is expected to be a backup for P.J. Brown at power forward and Jamaal Magloire at center. Anderson played in 71 games and averaged 3.4 points and 4.2 rebounds last season. Teams could begin signing free agents Wednesday. But the top two players the Hornets' targeted -- shooting guard Stephen Jackson and center Michael Doleac signed with other teams. Jackson re-signed with the Atlanta Hawks before he was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Al Harrington. Doleac agreed to a four-year deal to join the Miami Heat and back up Shaquille O'Neal, who the Heat obtained in a trade this week with the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, discussions between Hornets general manager Allan Bristow and Peterson's representatives intensified two days ago. Terms of the Hornets' deal were not disclosed, but the most the Hornets can offer Peterson is a six-year, $38 million mid-level exception contract because of the team's salary-cap restraints. Peterson, 6-7, is an effective outside shooter but lost his starting job last season. During the 2002-03 season, Peterson started 80 of the 82 games and averaged 14.1 points. He was the Raptors' first-round pick in the 2000 draft from Michigan State. The Raptors might not match the Hornets' offer because they signed free agent Rafer Alston, a shooting guard from the Miami Heat, on Wednesday. The Raptors also have five other free agents. Bristow remains involved in negotiations with forward-center Robert "Tractor" Traylor's agent, Andre Colona. Colona could not be reached for comment Friday. Traylor is drawing interest from several teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Hornets have not had serious negotiations to re-sign free agents Courtney Alexander, Shammond Williams, Steve Smith or Stacey Augmon. Alexander is a restricted free agent. Smith has drawn interest from the Nuggets. The Orlando Magic expressed an interest in Augmon at the start of free agency, but no contract has been offered yet. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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