http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/109661276990090.xml Hornets add forward Nailon to bolster scoring, depth Free agent guard Harrington also signs Friday, October 01, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer General Manager Allan Bristow wanted the Hornets to head into training camp next week with some experienced free agents on the roster. He didn't mind adding one already familiar to most of the veterans on the team. Lee Nailon, who played for the Hornets during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, rejoined the team Thursday after agreeing to a contract. The Hornets also signed free agent point guard Junior Harrington, who averaged 5.1 points and 3.0 rebounds with the Denver Nuggets during the 2002-03 season. The Hornets have 19 players on their roster, and Bristow said there is a possibility they could sign one more free agent. NBA rules limit a team's training camp to a maximum of 20 players. Only 12 can make the final roster, plus up to three players on the injured list. On Wednesday, the Hornets signed free agents Sean Finn, Tremaine Fowlkes, Britton Johnsen and Nate Williams. "We're still hoping to add another player, but we have to wait and see how things play out," Bristow said. Nailon, 6 feet 9, is expected to bolster the Hornets' depth and offense at small forward because he is a capable jump shooter, particularly from mid-range. During the 2001-02 season, when starting small forward Jamal Mashburn missed half of the regular season with a lower abdominal strain injury, Nailon started 41 games and averaged 15 points and five rebounds. "He's familiar with a lot of our players, and we look for him to bring us some toughness and compete for a roster spot," Bristow said. "He brings experience to the table." For Nailon, it's a chance for a fresh start. He played for three teams last season, the Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers. He played in 57 games and averaged six points and 2.5 rebounds. With the Cavaliers, where he played for former Hornets coach Paul Silas, Nailon averaged 7.7 points in 22 games. Nailon was waived by the Hornets before the start of their inaugural season in New Orleans in 2002. The New York Knicks eventually signed Nailon, and he played in 38 games and averaged 7.7 points. Nailon was the Hornets' second-round draft pick in 1999. He played in the Italian League before signing a contract with the Hornets for the 2000-01 season. "This is the team where I started, so hopefully this is where I can finish," Nailon said. "It's always good to come back to your old teammates, where everybody knows you. "Hopefully I can show my talent and just keep improving to help the team win," Nailon said. "I didn't think I was going to end up back here, but everything happens for a reason." NOTE: Single-game tickets for all 2004-05 Hornets home games will go on sale at 10 a.m. Oct. 9. Tickets are available in the $10, $26, $41, $51, $76, $120, $135.50 and $218.50 price categories for all games. Tickets can be purchased at the New Orleans Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling the NBA phone center at 1-800-4NBA-TIX or online at Hornets.com or Ticketmaster.com. Tickets priced at $7 will be sold at noon on every game day at the box office. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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