New Orleans Hornets reportedly open to re-signing Jason Smith ...

The New Orleans Hornets on Thursday picked up guard Marco Belinelli’s option for <a href="http://www.belstaffsjackets.co.uk/products_all.html"><strong>belstaff london</strong></a> next season and decided not to do the same for forward Jason Smith, making Smith an unrestricted free agent. Although Smith can now solicit offers on the open market, if and when there’s a new collective bargaining agreement in place, the Hornets said they’d be open to re-signing him when they’re aware of what kind of salary structure will be implemented in the new labor agreement. New Orleans General Manager Dell Demps indicated to Smith and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, that uncertain economics caused the Hornets to not exercise the option for next season. “That’s what Dell had said, and that’s just how the business of basketball goes,” Smith said. “I like New Orleans. It’s a great team, a great organization, a great group of guys. It’s just one of those things with the lockout, you don’t know what the next collective bargaining agreement will be, so you just have to kind of plan and change your strategy to what’s coming in the future.” Smith’s salary next season, had the Hornets picked up his option, was scheduled to be 3.135 million. Belinelli, who his agent said is in his native Italy, will earn 3.377 million next season. He can still receive offers from other NBA teams, but as a restricted free agent, the Hornets can match any offer <a href="http://www.belstaffsjackets.co.uk/belstaff-jackets-womens-c-2.html"><strong>belstaff on sale</strong></a> sheet Belinelli would sign. “We were very pleased with the performance of both Marco and Jason Smith, as each of them had their best professional season and it was fun to watch them grow and contribute to our success,” Demps said in a team press release. “We know both players will continue to improve and hope to have each of them back for the 2011-12 season.” Bartelstein said Demps made it clear to him that the Hornets are still interested in having Smith, a 7-foot backup, on their roster. “They just felt now not knowing where the cap would be, what the rules would be, they didn’t want too much money tied up not knowing what it was going to be,” Bartelstein said. “Jason likes it there. He enjoys playing for Monty (Williams). But I think there’ll be a ton of interest out there. We’ll see how this thing plays out. Jason certainly is not opposed (to returning). “But now that he’s unrestricted, it’s a business, and he owes it to himself to see what’s available. Jason will be in great shape. This opens the flood gates for teams to pursue him, but it doesn’t rule out coming back to New Orleans. I think he’d love for that to happen.” Smith played in 77 games with the Hornets last season, averaging 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds. Belinelli started 69 games at shooting guard for New Orleans last season, the first time in his four-year career he was a full-time starter. He averaged a career-best 10.5 points per game. “Marco is happy, and he’s happy to be a Hornet,” said his agent, Sam Goldfeder. “In his phone call, Dell said, ‘Hey, sorry it took so long, but we’ve thought a lot about this and we’re picking (the option) up.’ That was it. But I got an email from Marco, and he had spoken to Dell before Dell spoke to me.” The <a href="http://041823.com/view.php?id=18"><strong>The Charming Of Ed Hardy Jeans Designer | Jeans On Sale Blog</strong></a> decision to retain Belinelli gives the Hornets six players under contract at this point: forward Trevor Ariza, guard Jarrett Jack, center Emeka Okafor, guard Chris Paul, forward Quincy Pondexter and Belinelli. Jimmy Smith can be reached at jsmith@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3814.