http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/109117794657120.xml Raptors match Hornets' offer, keep Peterson Traylor's days in N.O. coming to an end? Friday, July 30, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer A not so good offseason got worse for the Hornets on Thursday when they found out they won't be able to sign restricted free agent Morris Peterson, and they might lose forward Robert Traylor. The Toronto Raptors said Thursday they will retain Peterson by matching the Hornets' three-year, $15 million offer. The Raptors will make the announcement today after General Manager Rob Babcock meets with the team's board of directors. "The Mo Peterson deal is dead," Hornets general manager Allan Bristow said. "We will proceed and continue to evaluate all players that can fill in at the (small forward) spot." Sources close to the negotiations said that Traylor, who has been with the Hornets for three years, is considering offers from the Phoenix Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team he played for in the 2000-2001 season. It appears the Cavaliers, coached by former Hornets coach Paul Silas, is the front-runner. Traylor and his agent, Andre Colona, could not be reached for comment. Bristow said the Raptors informed him of their decision to keep Peterson Thursday, though publicly Babcock said that nothing is official yet. Soon after the Hornets' extended their offer to Peterson, Babcock said he would recommend to the board that Peterson, a four-year veteran, be retained. Peterson, who is 6 feet 7 and can play shooting guard and small forward, was the Raptors' first-round draft pick in 2000. Last season, Peterson struggled under former Raptors coach Kevin O'Neill's defense-oriented style of play, averaging a career-low 8.3 points. But Babcock likes what Peterson potentially can bring to their team this season. And new coach Sam Mitchell brings to Toronto an up-tempo style of play that could be a better fit for Peterson. "He can shoot, push the ball up the court and is a good rebounder," Babcock said. Had Peterson, 26, come to New Orleans, he was expected to help the Hornets with his strengths as an outside shooter and with his athleticism in running the floor. Hornets coach Byron Scott is trying to build a young and athletic team that can run with star point guard Baron Davis. "It was a logjam up there at that spot, and we felt like we had a shot at it, but I think they realize the same thing we did -- that Mo Peterson is a good player," Bristow said. Free agents were allowed to begin signing contracts July 14. Though Peterson signed an offer sheet two days later, backup center Chris Andersen remains the Hornets' only new addition through free agency. Andersen signed a two-year deal when the Denver Nuggets renounced their rights to match the Hornets' offer after obtaining power forward Kenyon Martin in a trade with the New Jersey Nets. Earlier this month, the Hornets were unsuccessful in their attempt to sign shooting guard Stephen Jackson, whom they had targeted as their top choice. The Hornets offered a six-year deal, estimated at $38 million. Jackson re-signed with the Atlanta Hawks, agreeing to a six-year, $44 million deal, and then was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for forward Al Harrington. The Hornets also lost a bidding war with the Miami Heat for free-agent center Michael Doleac, who said the prospect of playing with Shaquille O'Neal prompted him to turn down the Hornets' offer. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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