I am very disappointed that the Wizards didn't get a defensive minded wing player that can shoot in the draft.  Quincy Pondexter was the one I thought could fit that need.

The Hornets made a trade with Oklahoma City to save some Luxury Tax dollars. They traded Mo Pete and the #11 pick for the 21st and 26th picks. They drafted Pondexter with the 26th pick.

Unfortunately for the Hornets, they are still over the projected Luxury Tax line. The Luxury Tax, to be formally established on July 8th, is projected to be $68 Million.

See more below the jump.

Here is New Orleans current roster situation:

Chris Paul      $14,940,153  
Peja Stojakovic      $14,256,000
Emeka Okafor     $11,795,000
David West     $8,287,500
James Posey     $6,478,600
Darius Songaila     $4,818,000
Julian Wright     $2,858,057
Darren Collison     $1,361,040
Aaron Gray     $1,250,621 (assuming they make him a qualifying offer)
Marcus Thornton     $762,195     

10 players    $73,007,166

Craig Brackins (21)    $1,089,000
Q. Pondexter (26)    $894,400
Minimum Rookie    $473,604

13 players    $69,264,170

2010 Lux Tax line     $68,000,000

Leaves the Hornets paying  $1,264,170 in Luxury Tax AND they forfeit the Luxury Tax payment (usually around $5-6 Million). The League minimum roster is 13 players, so they can't just trade away a player for a future pick because ANY player they trade away, that roster spot must be filled.


Here's my trade proposal:

Hamady N'diaye (473,604) + Quinton Ross ($1,146,337) total = $1,619,941

for

Darius Songaila ($4,818,000) + Quincy Pondexter ($894,400) = $5,712,400

You could substitute Cartier Martin (in a sign-and-trade) or another D-League player for N'Diaye
This gets the Hornets under the Luxury tax without sacrificing any core players (Paul, West) or young developing players (Collison, Thornton). Wizards get another good young player that plays stiffling defense, and rent Songaila (a good guy) for one year at a decent price, with no long term salary implications (other than the Rookie salary for Pondexter).

What do you guys think?