Hornets Sign Pavlovic

With Trevor Ariza sidelined for several weeks with a severely sprained ankle, the Hornets signed forward Sasha Pavlovic to a 10 day contract early Friday. Here is more from John Reid of the Times Picayune.

Pavlovic has career averages of 5.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 16.5 minutes. Pavlovic, 6 foot 8, 235 pounds, was most recently with the Dallas Mavericks with whom he signed back-to-back 10-day contracts beginning Jan. 10. He appeared in 10 games, marking six starts and scoring 4.1 points per contest.

Pavlovic began his NBA career with the Utah Jazz as the 19th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. Following a solid rookie season in Salt Lake City, Pavlovic was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2004 expansion draft and later traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played for the next five seasons, including an appearance in the 2007 NBA Finals.

http://www.nola.com/hornets/index.ssf/2011/02/new_orleans_hornets_sign_forwa.html

Pavlovic has some offensive ability, but make no mistake, New Orleans will suffer from the loss of Trevor Ariza. Hopefully he will return after the all-star break. Without Ariza, expect the Hornet defense to take a few steps back. Ariza's absence, coupled with Emeka Okafor being sidelines for a few weeks, will make it very difficult for the Hornets to go into the all-star break on a roll. Quincy Pondexter, Marco Belinelli, Marucs Thornton, and Pavlovic will have to step up their defense in order to stay out of Monty Williams' doghouse. Willie Green is the only decent defender the Hornets currently have on the wing.