http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1091523464227940.xml 'Tractor' Traylor leaving N.O. for Cavaliers, ex-coach Silas Backup cites chance to start as reason Tuesday, August 03, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer Robert "Tractor" Traylor, one of the Hornets' most popular players, will sign a one-year deal later this week with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Traylor and his agent, Andre Colona, said Monday night. "I'm really going to miss my fans in New Orleans, because I had a really great time there," Traylor said from his home in Detroit. "But I think it's going to be a great situation for me in Cleveland." Colona said one of the primary factors that swayed Traylor was an opportunity to compete for a starting spot at power forward. Traylor also said he was familiar with Cavaliers coach Paul Silas, who coached him for two seasons with the Hornets. Silas' contract was not renewed by the Hornets after the 2002-03 season when they failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers. Traylor, who played three seasons with the Hornets, was a popular player in part because of his chest bumps with teammates before games at New Orleans Arena, and he was one of the biggest players on the team at 284 pounds. Last season under former Hornets coach Tim Floyd, Traylor averaged 13.3 minutes in 71 games as a backup center and power forward. "We tried to do everything we could to keep Tractor here, and it didn't work out," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "He wanted to go to Cleveland, because he feels he's got a better chance to playing more consistent minutes. You can't fault the guy for that, but I thought he would play just as many minutes here as there. But like I said, it didn't work out, and we wish him the best." Negotiations between Traylor's agent and the Hornets stalled more than a week ago, before the Cavaliers emerged as the front-runner ahead of the Phoenix Suns. Meanwhile, guard Stacey Augmon, who played the past three seasons with the Hornets, signed a free-agent deal to join the Orlando Magic. The Hornets did not have any extensive negotiations to re-sign Augmon. The Hornets' top priority in free agency remains to sign a small forward. The Hornets had signed Morris Peterson to a three-year, $15 million offer sheet to play small forward and shooting guard, but the Toronto Raptors matched the offer to retain him last week. "I don't think we have to make a big splash. We've been committed to trying to make our team better," Scott said. "We tried to do some things to do that. Some of those things haven't panned out the way we would have liked, but we've been very active all summer long. "That's one of the things we talked about doing, and we've done that. Do we think it's been a bad summer for us? No. I think we've done everything possible to make our team better. We still have some time and some money, and we're still going to pursue some of the other options that we have. Right now, I think our effort has been an A, but if you gave us an overall grade it would probably be a C-plus." The Hornets only free agent signee is backup center Chris Andersen. "The three position (small forward) is something of a concern for us and a crucial part of our plans," Scott said. "We don't know the (Jamal) Mashburn situation, and we have George (Lynch) at that position but nobody else. I know I can play the rookie (J.R. Smith) back there, but the one thing you want to do with a young player like that is bring him in and put him at one position, so he can learn it and feel comfortable." Scott said the Hornets' backcourt is an area they don't need to be concerned about with point guard Baron Davis, backup point guards Darrell Armstrong and Alex Garcia, shooting guard David Wesley, Smith and second-round draft pick Tim Pickett. It remains uncertain whether the Hornets will pursue restricted free agent shooting guard Courtney Alexander, who missed the 2003-04 season after rupturing his Achilles' tendon in a preseason game. Alexander, contacted by telephone Monday at his home in Atlanta, said he has recovered fully and plans to work out for several teams later this month. He said the Hornets are likely to be among the teams attending the workout. "My eyes are still on New Orleans, but my options are definitely open," Alexander said. "I am at about 100 percent right now, so I'm looking forward to getting back out there. Its been a tough year, but I'm thankful to be able to play again, and I have to see how everything plays itself out." NOTE: Scott said Mashburn will take a second MRI on his injured right knee later this month to determine whether he has made any progress. Mashburn said his knee has continued to swell since he reinjured it during a game in March. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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