What Went Right?
When the players WERE healthy, they were able to put together a pretty good team. Chris Paul was the leader of the team by averaging 17.3 points and 8.9 assists. David West led the team in scoring at 18.3 points per game. He also grabbed 8.1 rebounds per contest. Tyson Chandler had a breakout season by having a career year. He averaged career highs in points (9.5), rebounds (12.4), blocks (1.8), offensive rebounds (4.4), and field goal percentage (62.4%). Peja Stojakovic missed most of the year but when he played he averaged 17.8 points per game and was making more than 2 three-pointers per game. Devin Brown, Rasual Butler, and Bobby Jackson were all able to fill in for injured players by averaging double-digits in scoring.

What Went Wrong?
Here's the list of missed games for the Hornets. Peja missed 69 games. David West missed 30 games. Chris Paul missed 18 games. Bobby Jackson missed 26 games. Tyson Chandler wasn't able to play in 9 games due to injury. Their shooting guard Desmond Mason didn't shoot a single three-point shot which really hindered their offensive attack. The offense, partly due to the injuries, was only able to average 95.5 points per game. They didn't shoot the ball particularly well as a team by shooting just 44.5% from the field. This team only improved by one win from the previous year which wasn't the kind of progress this franchise was looking for.

Off-Season Overview
The additions to the Hornets' seem minor this off-season, but they're actually going to shape this team into being a much more potent offensive team. They drafted the versatile Julian Wright out of Kansas to give them more options in going with big or small lineups. They signed Morris Peterson which will give them a shooting guard that can actually shoot from the outside. He'll be a much more viable option on offense than Desmond Mason was last season.
Players Added: Forward Julian Wright (Draft), Shooting Guard Adam Haluska (Draft), Power Forward/Center Melvin Ely (Free Agent, San Antonio), Guard/Forward Morris Peterson (Free Agent, Toronto), Guard David Wesley (Trade, Cleveland)
Players Lost: Power Forward Brandon Bass (Free Agent, Dallas), Guard/Forward Desmond Mason (Free Agent, Milwaukee), Guard Devin Brown (Free Agent, Cleveland), Power Forward Cedric Simmons (Trade, Cleveland)

Phil Barnett's Impact Players-
The Hornets will finally move back to New Orleans for the first season since the devastating Hurricane Katrina hit three seasons ago. With their rising point guard, Chris Paul, back healthy and an optimistic Byron Scott, the Hornets could surprise a lot of people this year. They weren’t eliminated from the playoffs until the 80th game last season with a slew of injuries, health is key in the Big Easy.

Breakout Player: Jannero Pargo went unnoticed last season when the Hornets started losing. With Paul out, he started seven games and averaged 15 points and 5.7 assists in those starts. He has the ability to run the offense effectively and hit open shots. Pargo could be golden coming off the bench for the Hornets this season.

Disappointing Player: Peja Stojakovic was once a deadly scorer you did not want to leave open. He hit big shots and rebounded every once in a while. Since leaving Sacramento, he’s kept up his scoring average and his shooting percentage, but he’s lost his knack for timely scoring and hitting big shots. Sure, he’ll put up the numbers, but the Hornets didn’t sign the same Stojakovic that was so good on those Kings teams early in the decade.

FantasyInsideronline.com Fantasy Sleeper-
Morris Peterson, Guard/Forward- The impact Peterson will have on the Hornets will be extremely positive this year. He and Peja Stojakovic (assuming that he gives Tracy McGrady his lower lumbar back to him) will spread the floor and open up the paint for the Hornets’ big men. It will also free up the middle of the floor, which will allow Chris Paul to penetrate and kick-out for wide-open threes. I wouldn’t expect 20 points per game from Peterson, however, 15 points, 3-three pointers made, and shooting percentages in the mid-40’s are very likely, along with higher assists totals for Chris Paul and increased scoring for David West.

Best-Case Scenario
Chris Paul takes an even bigger step in becoming an NBA star point guard and completely dominates the competition this year. He averages 20 points and 10 assists per game while creating great opportunities for his teammates. Peja Stojakovic stays healthy and is able to be the same game-changing player that he was in Sacramento. He along with Morris Peterson create a devistating outside attack. This opens up the middle for David West and Tyson Chandler as they both have career years in scoring. Byron Scott is able to coach this team into the playoffs as they clinch the 7th seed in the West.

Worst Case Scenario
Injuries ravage this team again and they again can't improve on the previous year by much. Chris Paul battles injuries on a Baron Davis type level and unable to keep up with the progression of fellow draft class point guards, Deron Williams and Raymond Felton. Tyson Chandler is unable to keep up his focus and regresses in his rebounding and shotblocking abilities. The bench is ineffective in spelling the starters which causes the injuries to come quicker because of the extended minutes that the starters are forced to play. The Hornets again can't score this season and fail to win more than 35 games.

Talkhoops.net Prediction- 5th in Division, 11th in West
I don't see Chris Paul being very healthy this season and it's going to hamper the team's progression. David West will continue to be an under-appreciated weapon in the league. Tyson Chandler will continue to progress and average a double-double this season. I don't see Peja Stojakovic staying healthy but the signing of Morris Peterson should make up for that. The Hornets just don't have a good enough team to make the playoffs in the West. But they're close.