HoopsHype.com Rumors

Shaun Powell: Just saw Indy native Eric Gordon in the building. Evidently checking out where he's gonna play next season. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Eric Gordon 

Hornets forward Lance Thomas will participate with the USA Basketball Select Team in Las Vegas, agent John Spencer told HoopsHype. Thomas won the bronze medal with the U.S. squad at the Panamerican Games last year. Sulia

New Orleans Hornets, USA Basketball, Lance Thomas 

Marco Belinelli: I expect New Orleans to make an offer to me but I am sure that other teams will try to sign me. I don't know which team because the playoffs are still on and also the draft will be important with good names I am confident that my future will be again in the NBA. My dream is to bring a title to Italy and my town San Giovanni in Persiceto. It would be ok for me to play less minutes but for a contender. Italian National Team? I don't know yet. I just returned from the States and I didn't talk with anyone from the Federation. Sportando

New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Marco Belinelli 

Marco Belinelli, at Gazzetta.it, talked about his future and his commitment to the Italian National Team. The Italian guard said that he wants to decide his future before trying to join Italian National Team next summer. Belinelli will be unrestricted free agent and he expects an offer from the Hornets. "We have just finished a complicated season but very important for me because I will be free agent from July. It was also a weird season. We decided to stay in New Orleans. Then the team signed a shooting guard as Eric Gordon. He got injured but I had again but I had to gain the confidence of the coaching staff. I don't know what will happen in the summer. I am without any answer. I expect New Orleans to make an offer to me but I am sure that other teams will try to sign me. I don't know which team because the playoffs are still on and also the draft will be important with good names I am confident that my future will be again in the NBA. Sportando

New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Marco Belinelli 

With two lottery selections in the June 28 NBA Draft, New Orleans Hornets general manager Dell Demps and Coach Monty Williams will try to be the good luck charms the team needs to secure the highest possible pick by winning next Wednesday's NBA Lottery in New York. The Hornets possess their own lottery pick, acquired thanks to a 21-45 regular season record, as well as the one belonging to the Minnesota Timberwolves, acquired in the trade that sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Trade, Monty Williams, Dell Demps 

Coach Svetislav Pesic named 21 players for the German National Team Training camp. Germany will play the Eurobasket 2013 Qualification Round in the summer. Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman are not in the list, as expected. Sportando

Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Hornets, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Kaman, Germany 

Marco Belinelli was in Milano yesterday watching the Serie A Playoff Game between Olimpia Milano and Reyer Venezia. The Italian guard spent the season with the Hornets and will be free agent in the summer. 'Where am I going to sign? It is too early to say. That was an important season for me, but not so good for my team. I am confident for the new contract. Now I am resting even if I'd prefer playing the playoffs. Sportando

New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Marco Belinelli 

Marco Belinelli: "I've always cared about the National Italian Team, but it's too early to give answers. I didn't spoke to anyone at FIP (Italian Basketball Federation) but the priority for this summer will be the NBA. I'll be free agent, and this is the first thing I want to deal with, and then we'll see what we can do." SoloBasket.it

New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Italy, Marco Belinelli 

Although next month’s NBA draft is considered to be deep with talent, New Orleans Hornets Coach Monty Williams disagrees. With two lottery picks, the Hornets are slotted fourth and 10th in the May 30 draft lottery and have a 13.7 percent chance of landing the top pick. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Monty Williams 

``I don’t see this deep draft everybody is talking about,’’ Williams said. ``I think there are a few players at the top that are really good that can be good players. But I don’t see any Carmelo’s or LeBron’s.’’ New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Monty Williams 

``I don’t think you’re going to find a (Manu) Ginobili at 52,’’ Williams said. ``The last few weeks I’ve had a chance to look at all these young guys on tape and I’m not jaded by the hoopla as everybody else is. I think there are good players, but I don’t see this deep draft.’’ New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Draft, Monty Williams 

Benson could not expand on his plans for the Hornets management structure, because he has not officially taken ownership of the team. But it's clear that Lauscha and Mickey Loomis, the Saints' executive vice president and general manager, will have major roles with the Hornets. Loomis will likely oversee basketball operations, with the Hornets' general manager reporting to him. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Tom Benson 

Benson, who previously held the title of Saints owner and president, will serve as owner and chairman of the board. His granddaughter, Rita Benson LeBlanc, who has served as owner and executive vice president of the Saints since 2005, will now serve as vice-chairwoman of the board. LeBlanc's expanded role will include enhanced management responsibilities within Zelia LLC, which includes properties such as Benson Tower and Champions Square as well as various interests in the automotive, real estate and banking sectors and multimedia platforms, including Fox affiliate WVUE. "We've got a good team going, we really do," said Benson, who was surrounded as usual by his core management team of LeBlanc, Lauscha and Loomis as he sat down in his office Friday to discuss the new roles. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Tom Benson 

Carl Landry: These #WNBA players can play!!! Looks like I'm rolling with the #MinnesotaLynx this season... Twitter

New Orleans Hornets, WNBA, Carl Landry 

Tom Benson's business portfolio is bursting at the seams these days. He has expanded into television, film, real estate and now NBA basketball in the past four years. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Owners, Tom Benson 

Benson could not expand on his plans for the Hornets management structure, because he has not officially taken ownership of the team. But it's clear that (Dennis) Lauscha and Mickey Loomis, the Saints' executive vice president and general manager, will have major roles with the Hornets. Loomis will likely oversee basketball operations, with the Hornets' -general manager reporting to him. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Owners, Tom Benson, Dennis Lauscha, Mickey Loomis 

There was some talk about Hornets shooting guard Eric Gordon getting a max offer this summer, possibly from Indiana. That might be far-fetched because he's had issues with his knees for two consecutive years. Don't rule out a possible sign-and-trade, however, with Gordon going to the Pacers and forward Danny Granger going to New Orleans. Both teams are under the cap this summer. In that scenario, the Pacers could move Paul George to small forward, which might be his natural position. News-Herald

Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets, Eric Gordon 

The New Orleans Hornets will continue receiving a tax break that saves the NBA team $37 million over 10 years. The Senate sent the tax break bill to the governor's desk Monday with a 28-7 vote. The measure, supported by Gov. Bobby Jindal, is part of the state's deal to the keep the Hornets in Louisiana and a piece of the agreement with new team owner Tom Benson, who also owns the New Orleans Saints. Daily Comet

New Orleans Hornets, Tom Benson 

Gustavo Ayon is willing to play at Centrobasket with the Mexican National Team. Terra.com

New Orleans Hornets, Mexico, Gustavo Ayon 

Although New Orleans Hornets guard Eric Gordon missed 55 games due to knee and back injuries this season, he made the pool of finalists for the United States Olympic men's basketball team that was announced on Thursday. When asked about the possibility of playing for the Olympic team last week, Gordon said he's interested but hadn't thought about it much. Gordon said he plans to take a month off before resuming workouts. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, USA Basketball, Eric Gordon