http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1091264396208250.xml Hornets pressing forward for player N.O. regrouping after not landing Peterson Saturday, July 31, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer Hornets general manager Allan Bristow has kept busy trying to find help for his team through free agency. A month into the process, however, the Hornets have yet to fill their most pressing needs. The latest blow came Thursday when the Toronto Raptors said they would match the Hornets' three-year, $15 million offer to Morris Peterson, thereby putting an end to New Orleans' bid for the four-year veteran. Peterson would have provided help at small forward and shooting guard. After weeks of phone calls and negotiations, the Hornets' only free-agent signee is Chris Andersen, a backup center who signed a two-year deal after the Denver Nuggets renounced their rights to match the offer. Bristow said the Hornets will continue their search, despite having to tap into dwindling pool of talented free agents. "We've got to see if it's a right fit for some other free agents," Bristow said. That means the Hornets could go after an NBA journeyman, such as Robert Horry or Bryon Russell, and sign him to a one- or two-year contract. "There are a couple of different scenarios," Bristow said. "But I would say right off the bat, we're looking at a three (small forward)." The Hornets likely are to go after a unrestricted free agent, so they can quickly strike a deal and not worry about a team matching their offer. Darius Miles, who played last season with the Portland Trail Blazers after a trade from Cleveland, is one of the top small forwards available. But the Hornets aren't likely to pursue Miles because the Trail Blazers can match any offer. The Hornets could pursue the Seattle SuperSonics' Ansu Sesay, the New York Knicks' DerMarr Johnson, the New Jersey Nets' Rodney Rogers or the Miami Heat's John Wallace, among others. Bristow has declined to disclose specific players the team is targeting. But he said earlier this month that the Hornets had targeted Stephen Jackson as the top player they wanted to sign. Jackson ended up re-signing with the Atlanta Hawks and then was traded to the Indiana Pacers. The Hornets also pursued backup center Michael Doleac, but he signed with the Miami Heat, joining Shaquille O'Neal. Now it appears the Hornets will have to search for a replacement for Robert Traylor, who, despite weeks of negotiations with Hornets and several other teams, is seriously considering an offer by the Cleveland Cavaliers, coached by former Hornets coach Paul Silas. Bristow hasn't ruled out the possibility of making a trade to improve the roster. But it's unlikely any deals would involve starting power forward P.J. Brown, starting center Jamaal Magloire or starting point guard Baron Davis. This week Brown and Magloire were rumored to be included in a trade discussion. However, Brown's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said he spoke with Bristow on Thursday, and the Hornets are not shopping Brown. "The Hornets like P.J., and P.J. likes the Hornets," Bartelstein said Friday. Bristow said through Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman that he was extremely busy on Friday. It's likely to remain that way until he strikes some deals. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or at (504) 826-3405. --

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